One of the most curious figures in history went by the name Grigori Rasputin. Since his legendary demise in 1916, he has portrayed many times by many different actors in movies and TV shows and theater productions, and now he’ll be portrayed on the big screen once again.

Alain Goldman and his Légende Films is developing a new film, currently called Rasputin — The Healer. Goldman has previously been behind Ridley Scott’s 1492: Conquest of Paradise, La vie en rose, and Babylon A.D..

Rasputin will be both written and directed by Roselyn Bosch, who pulled double duties on The Roundup and Animal, and wrote and produced 1492.

The movie will take place in the final two years on Rasputin’s life when he was a famed healer and figure in St. Petersberg’s royal court, which were obviously the most interesting two years of his life.

Goldman, when speaking about Rasputin, says “He was promiscuous, religious, a healer. It’s also an incredible setting, the most powerful country of the time, Russia, on the verge of revolution, which the Tsar doesn’t see coming.” And though the man’s life was worthy of many a biopic treatment, there’s no doubt that it is his death that will always hold the curiosities of most.

Legend has it that many made attempts on Rasputin’s life, including an assassin’s blade thrust into his abdomen, opening him clean up and causing his innards to fall out; the fateful night where he was poisoned with enough cyanide to kill five men (which had no effect); shot in the back only to be shot three more times in the back after getting up; beaten mercilessly with clubs and then castrated…to no avail; and even wrapped in a carpet and dumped into an icy river, where he did attempt escape, but drown in the process.

At the moment, the plan is to release Rasputin in the fall of 2011.

[Source: Variety]