Natalie Portman & Director Lynne Ramsay Teaming Up For Western 'Jane Got A Gun'

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by Oliver Lyttelton
May 22, 2012 2:10 PM
5 Comments

Since starring in the surprise hit "Black Swan," and winning an Oscar for her troubles, Natalie Portman's been decidedly picky about her choice of roles. It's partly because she became a mother last year, and has been taking a little time off. But also, she's clearly not wanted to rush into a decision, and while films like the Wachowski's "Jupiter Ascending" and Ridley Scott's "The Counselor" have chased the actress, she seemingly turned the projects down. She has decided to return to acting at last: she'll spend the second half of the year shooting Terrence Malick's double-header "The Knight of Cups" and the film formerly known as "Lawless," before she segues into the contractual obligations of "Thor 2." But it's clearly harder than ever to get the actress' attention.

Unless you're "We Need To Talk About Kevin" director Lynne Ramsay, that is. The Hollywood Reporter bring news that Ramsay, who made her long-awaited return to directing, nearly a decade after the ace "Ratcatcher" and "Morvern Callar," last year with the acclaimed adaptation of Lionel Shriver's novel, is teaming with Portman for a Western entitled "Jane Got A Gun." Penned by newcomer Brian Duffield ("Your Bridesmaid Is A Bitch"), it would see the Oscar-winning actress play a woman in the Old West who tries to convince an ex-lover to defend her and her wounded husband from the latter's vengeful former gang.

The script made last year's Black List, so it's presumably good stuff, especially with two such impressive talents involved. Last we heard from Ramsay, she was planning to make a sci-fi take on "Moby Dick," but clearly this has grabbed her attention, and we can't wait to see what she does with a Western. Studios and financiers are looking at the package in Cannes at the moment, and a deal is seemingly likely to come together shortly, given the talent involved. There's no word on when the film might move ahead, but given Portman's other commitments, we imagine we're looking at shooting in the first half of 2013.

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More: Jane Got A Gun, Natalie Portman, Lynne Ramsay

5 Comments

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Athena | May 22, 2012 7:25 PMReply

I could definetly see Jennifer Lawrence as the lead in this film. Well, sounds like an interesting story it looks like westerns might be making a comeback.
KT | May 22, 2012 2:46 PMReply

Damn, although the formating was a bit unconventional, I love-love-loved this script when I read it a few months ago.

... Not sure if I'd cast Portman in the lead, though. I could see Jennifer Lawrence, however.
BEF | May 22, 2012 2:35 PMReply

Exciting team, and more neo-westerns, yes.
Huffy | May 22, 2012 2:18 PMReply

Never thought I'd see Lynne Ramsay directing a movie named after an Aerosmith song. I am interested to see what Portman does post-Black Swan. I've never got the lavish following she has and most of the time she's rather boring but that was a damn impressive performance any way you slice it. Seems she's pulled a Mcconaughey and is only taking interesting roles now.
BEF | May 22, 2012 2:38 PM

While it does sound like an Aerosmith song, let's not forget one of the biggest western femmes: Calamity Jane (not saying that this is about said Jane, just there was a Jane with a gun in the west, and Aerosmith took the more Valley name: Janie).