Nicole Kidman Replaces Naomi Watts in 'Queen of the Desert'

Deals are flying fast and furious with the Toronto International Film Festival going on right now, and a couple of them have Naomi Watts at the center.  The Adore actress just recently signed on for documentary filmmaker Errol Morris' narrative debut, the Fargo-esque Holland, Michigan. But to do it, she's now been forced to drop out of the upcoming film by fellow documentarian, Werner Herzog. Fortunately another A-list star has come aboard to take her place.

Nicole Kidman will replace Watts in Herzog's Gertrude Bell biopic, Queen of the Desert. The sweeping drama centers on the famed archaeologist, explorer, and political attache for the British Empire, who was instrumental in the formation of the Middle East in the early 20th century. It's another potential Oscar-contending role for Kidman, and with Robert Pattinson as T.E. Lawrence (aka Lawrence of Arabia) and James Franco set for a role, there's enough talent that this is guaranteed to garner a ton of attention.

For now, Kidman will probably be making waves in the Oscar race for her performance as Grace Kelly in Grace of Monaco, which opens in November. [Deadline]