Roland Emmerich, of "Independence Day" fame, will direct

As a director, Roland Emmerich has tackled the aliens, the environment, giant lizards, the British and now he's ready to go inside the human body.

According to Variety, 20th Century Fox has recruited Emmerich to direct the studio's remake of the 1966 sci-fi favorite "Fantastic Voyage." Also being brought on board are Marianne and Cormac Wibberley ("National Treasure") to write the script.

Richard Fleischer directed the original, which was hailed at the time for its groundbreaking special effects. The plot revolves around a scientist who masters miniaturization technology, but goes into a coma with certain key secrets still in his head. Another team of scientists is shrunk, injected into his body and asked to clear up a key blood clot. Once inside, the body's natural function, plus at least one saboteur, cause serious problems.

Emmerich was a logical choice to direct the project both because of his experience with large scale effects-driven epics and the fact that he's made a lot of money for 20th Century Fox on "Independence Day" and "The Day After Tomorrow."

His other credits include "Godzilla" and "The Patriot," plus next spring's "10,000 B.C."