Kate Winslet AP Photo

Kate Winslet has reteamed with her 'Quills' co-star Geoffrey Rush for her latest project.

The pair are currently starring in 'The Magician's Wife', about a French illusionist and his wife who are sent on a special mission to Africa by Napoleon.

French troops are facing a holy war against Algeria after the people are persuaded to rise up by an African saint, thought to possess miraculous powers. It's up to the magician (Rush) to work his illusory magic to convince the saint's supporters that France is in fact the superior power.

Winslet's agent confirmed to Popcorn that she has begun work on the project in France, which is set to move over to Morocco in mid-August. The film is being directed by Canadian director Francois Girard ('The Red Violin').

'The Magician's Wife' marks the second upcoming film to tell the story of an illusionist sent into battle. Tom Cruise is thought to be interested in starring in a big screen adaptation of David Fisher's 1983 book 'The War Magician'.

It tells the true story of Jasper Maskelyne, a real-life magic man who believed he could adapt the principles of his craft to the benefit of the British during World War II. It appears he was correct in his assumption, as one of Maskelyne's greatest success stories was turning camouflage into a serious weapon.