NEW YORK -- "Bend It Like Beckham" helmer Gurinder Chadha will direct a remake of Francis Veber's French-language comedy "The Closet" (Le Placard) for Miramax Films and producer Lorne Michaels.

"Closet" follows a bland accountant, on the verge of being fired, whose next-door neighbor devises a plan that may enable him to keep his job if he can successfully convince his boss that he is gay.

Miramax released the original Veber version, which starred Daniel Auteuil and Gerard Depardieu, in 2001.

Paul Mayeda Berges will adapt the screenplay with Chadha. Michaels will produce, with Jill Messick executive producing.

"Closet" is the latest remake of a Veber film. Previous redos include Mike Nichols' "The Birdcage," a remake of "La Cage aux Folles," and Veber's own remake "Three Fugitives," based on the Gallic helmer's "Les Fugitifs."

Reporting to co-president of production Meryl Poster, Miramax executive vp European production and development Colin Vaines is set to oversee the production.

Miramax was repped in the pact by senior vp business and legal affairs Barry Littman. Chadha and Berges were repped by ICM and Alan Wertheimer of Hirsch, Jackoway, Tyerman, Wertheimer, Austen, Mandelbaum & Morris. Michaels was repped by CAA.

CAA, along with Cheryl Snow of Gang, Tyre, Ramer and Brown, also repped Veber.