Dustin Hoffman has been a prolific actor for over 40 years now. He made his big break with 1967′s The Graduate and won two Academy Awards for his performances in Kramer vs Kramer and Rain Man. He has worked with such acclaimed directors as Mike Nichols, Alan J. Pakula, Arthur Penn, Bob Fosse, and Marc Forster. Today, at 74 years of age, he remains a big name and is still in high demand. Given all that, it may surprise you that he has never once tried his hand at directing, something that many actors seem to take a fancy to.

However, it looks like Hoffman has decided that it’s now or never, with the announcement (via ThePlaylist) that filming started today on his directorial debut, Quartet. The cast features a host of great British talent, including Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Michael Gambon, Billy Connolly, and Pauline Collins. Hoffman himself has decided against starring.

The film is based on Ron Harwood‘s (The Pianist) stage play, and he’s written the script himself. [Empire]

With shooting having started, perhaps Hoffman will be up for awards as a director come 2012. Had you said that a few years ago, you’d be called crazy, but strange things happen in the film industry.

Synopsis:

“Courtenay, Connolly and Collins play three ex-opera stars who live together in Beecham House, a home for retired opera singers. Every year they throw a party to celebrate the birthday of Giuseppe Verdi. This year, however, their plans are thrown into flux by the arrival of Jean Horton (Smith), a former grande dame of the opera who’s run into hard times.“

Are you interested that Dustin Hoffman has turned to directing? Do you think you’ll see Quartet?