It's been a few years so you may not remember the Jackie Kennedy film that was being put together, at first by Steven Spielberg then by Darren Aronofsky. For a time, it looked like Rachel Weisz would play her in the film, but circumstances causes her and Aronofsky to depart the project. Natalie Portman was the next to begin circling the role, and now it looks like her casting is going to stick, which is good because a new director has come aboard, as well.
Variety reports that Portman will headline Jackie, with Chilean director Pablo Larrain directing. Larrain most recently helmed the political drama, No, and has largely focused his filmmaking career on Chilean politics, specifically the Pinochet era. So this will be a nice change of pace to see what he can do with one of the most memorable events in American history. The story, penned by Noah Oppenheim, will follow Jackie Kennedy during the four days after her husband's assassination, all the way up to his funeral.
Meanwhile, Portman has also lined up a starring role opposite Lily-Rose Depp (Johnny's daughter) in Planetarium, directed and co-written by Rebecca Zlotowski (Grand Central). The two will play spiritualist sisters in the '30-set drama that "follows the journey of sisters who are believed to possess the supernatural ability to connect with ghosts. They cross paths with a visionary French producer while performing in Paris."
All of the sudden Portman is the busiest actress around. She recently agreed to star in Alex Garland's next sci-fi film, Annihilation, and will play Ruth Bader Ginsburg in On the Basis of Sex. She also has her directorial debut, A Tale of Love and Darkness, debuting at Cannes.
