The Daily Mail reports that Toby Haynes ("Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell," "The Musketeers," "Doctor Who") will direct the film, which is aiming for a release towards the end of 2016.

Rights issues have yet to be resolved but the plan is to film in and around London beginning in early 2016.

No casting has been announced for the film, although Haynes and casting director Lucinda Syson have begun a search for the young actor who will play the title role as well as those for the roles of the other orphans and The Artful Dodger. Working Title also produced the international hit Billy Elliot, which features numerous young actors.

Carol Reed directed the 1968 "Oliver!" film, which featured a screenplay by Vernon Harris. The movie musical won Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Sound and Best Music, Score of a Musical Picture (Original or Adaptation).

Mackintosh has a long history with the musical, having produced London stage revivals in 1977, 1983 (transferred to Broadway in 1984), 1994 and 2009. The musical premiered in the West End in 1960 and ran 2,618 performances. It opened on Broadway in 1963 and ran 774 performances.