Guillermo del Toro is close to signing on to direct a big screen adaptation of Tarzan for Warner Bros. Pictures.

The studio is developing a new take on the Edgar Rice Burroughs-created character, reports Variety. Del Toro said the classic themes are still compelling, and there is new ground to cover in the Tarzan mythology by turning back to the original.

John Collee is also in negotiations to write the screenplay for Tarzan.