Natalie Portman to play Lady Macbeth opposite Michael Fassbender

Natalie Portman has been cast as Lady Macbeth in a brand new telling of William Shakespeare’s classic tale, Screen Daily reports.

Director Justin Kurzel (Snowtown) had already set Michael Fassbender for the title role.

For those unfamiliar with the story – really? – it concerns a Scottish lord who is spurred on by his scheming wife to overthrow the king, realising a supernatural prophecy in the process.

Though Macbeth has had its fair share of on-screen incarnations – courtesy of legends such as Orson Welles, Akira Kurosawa, and Roman Polanski, to mention just a few – this latest version will retain the original language and keep its 11th century setting.

Kurzel’s feature, however, will place an emphasis on the battle scenes.

The producing team of Iain Canning and Emile Sherman previously worked with Fassbender on Hunger, Shame, and the upcoming Frank, as well as on Best Picture winner The King’s Speech.