Roman Polanski opens vampire musical in Paris based on former fiancee's film

Polish-French film director Roman Polanski holds his best director award during the 39th French Cesar Awards Ceremony in Paris. Feb. 28, 2014 file photo (AP / Lionel Cironneau)

PARIS - Forty-seven years after starring in the movie "The Fearless Vampire Killers" with his wife-to-be Sharon Tate, director Roman Polanski is adapting the famous musical version of the film for the Paris stage.

The musical "Dance of the Vampires" was first performed in 1997, and it's travelled the world. The 81-year-old Polanski hopes it will now boost Paris' dreary musical theatre scene.

He said in an interview with The Associated Press Thursday that he's tried for years to get the show to the musical-averse French and is succeeding now because "vampires have become popular in the last few years."

Polanski wouldn't talk about Tate, whom he married after directing her in the film. She was brutally murdered in 1969.

"I really don't feel like talking about my life," he said.