Ives' sexually charged dark comedy centers on a frustrated playwright-director attempting to cast the leading role in his stage adaptation of Leopold von Sacher-Masoch's "Venus in Furs," when a mysterious and talented young actress walks in the door with designs of her own. The play earned a 2012 Tony Award nomination. 

Director Polanski will collaborate with Ives on the script.

Venus in Fur will be filmed in French, beginning in Paris this November, with Emmanuelle Seigner and Louis Garrel in the roles of Vanda and Thomas, respectively.

Venus in Fur premiered to acclaim in early 2010 in a production by Off-Broadway's Classic Stage Company. It then transferred to a celebrated Broadway run in 2011-12. Nina Arianda became an overnight star for her turn as Vanda, earning the 2012 Tony Award for Best Actress. Hugh Dancy co-starred with Arianda in the Broadway production.

Robert Benmussa and Alain Sarde will produce the independent film.