Polanski, who earned an Oscar for best director in 2002 for The Pianist, has a budget of $130 million for the dramatic thriller.
Inspired by a book by Robert Harris, who also wrote the screenplay, Pompeii recounts the story of a young engineer who has to repair a huge water pipe destroyed by the Roman Empire. The film will take place over the three days prior to the volcanic eruption and the destruction of the aquaduct, which served hundreds of thousands of people.
Although no actors have been cast for the project, the film is set to begin filming this summer in Italy.