Keira Knightley is in talks with Barbra Streisand to star as Catherine the Great, a Russian monarch, in a biopic directed by her. The script was written by Kristina Lauren Anderson and topped the 2014 Black List for best unproduced screenplays.
Last year, Keira met for the project and since then, talks for the project have been developing slowly.
Sophia Augusta Fredericka, popularly known as Catherine the Great, became the longest-ruling female leader of Russia ruling from 1762 to 1796 after her husband was assassinated. Set to be produced by Gil Netter, the film will be about the empress who finds herself in an abusive marriage to Emperor Peter III. The film traces her journey as she rise to power using her intelligence.
Barbra Streisand is a prominent female director and her films have recieved a total of 14 Oscar nominations. She made her debut with 1983’s Yentl. Her directorial works include Prince of Tides (1991) and The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996).
News Source: The Hollywood Reporter