Spacey to star in Mendes' Richard III

London - Kevin Spacey and Sam Mendes are reuniting for a trans-Atlantic production of Richard III.

Producers say Spacey will play the villainous English king in a Mendes-directed production of Shakespeare's historical play.

The play is part of the Bridge Project, which brings together British and American actors on classic plays directed by Mendes.

Richard III will open at New York's Brooklyn Academy of Music in February 2012, then tour internationally before playing London's Old Vic Theatre, where Spacey is artistic director.

The two men last worked together on the 1999 film American Beauty, which won five Academy Awards including best actor for Spacey and best director for Mendes.