Natalie Portman is Lady Macbeth to Michael Fassbender's 'Macbeth'

Michael Fassbender and Natalie Portman had a chance to work with one another before in the troubled Western, Jane Got a Gun, but it never came to pass. It was Fassbender's sudden departure that sent the film spiraling out of control, making headlines for a week. But the headaches he helped start don't seem to have phased Portman much, because she's agreed to join him in an adaptation of Macbeth.

Just a day after Fassbender was announced for the lead role, Portman has come aboard to play his Lady Macbeth. This version, written by Todd Louiso and Jacob Koskoff, will stick to the 11th century setting and maintain the original Shakespearean dialogue, but will also feature more blood and violence with significant battle scenes.

Justin Kurzel (Snowtown) is directing, and he's probably doing cartwheels over having the star power of Fassbender and Portman. Filming is slated to begin later this year. [Screen Daily]