Christoph Waltz, known for his role as the ruthless Hans Landa in Inglourious Basterds, will be changing professions from Jew Hunter to Film Director. Fresh from winning an Academy Award, Waltz will direct his first feature film entitled Up and Away, a romantic comedy about a woman who must confront her contemptuous feelings towards love. The Austrian actor, who co-wrote the script and could possibly play a supporting role, claims he considered making the film years ago. “But I never had time to do something else,” he said, referring to acting. Waltz, living in Berlin and London, is no stranger to the director’s chair, having been a helmer for German television.

Sanford Panitch, president of Fox International, spoke with Waltz after the Inglourious Basterds premiere at Cannes Film Festival about Up and Away. “I was charmed by him right away,” Panitch said. “He has a lot to say and has an encyclopedic knowledge.” Judging by the dialogue Hans Landa plastered on the screen in Basterds, he’s right. Waltz is said to be starring in Water for Elephants, which will begin shooting this summer. The actor says he is choosing among three different roles to follow the film, which means the Fox-produced German film may have to wait till 2011. If Waltz possesses half the talent he does behind the camera as he does in front of the camera, we’re all in for a treat.

Check out our favorite Jew Hunter in The Green Hornet, hitting theaters this December.

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