Natalie Portman to Star in "Love and Other Impossible Pursuits"

Natalie Portman came to the rescue for the Incentive Filmed Entertainment and Don Roos film, Love and Other Impossible Pursuits, based on the novel by Ayelet Waldman. The film, originally billed to star Jennifer Lopez, suffered a huge blow when the actress suddenly dropped out of the project. Portman accepted the lead role of Emilia Greenleaf, as well as taking on behind-the-scenes responsibilities by executive producing the film under her own banner - HandsomeCharlie Films.

Love and Other Impossible Pursuits tells the story of Emilia, a young woman who, while dealing with the death of her infant daughter, discovers that the key to saving her marriage is in developing a relationship with her 5-year-old stepson, William. According to MTV Movie Blogs, the role of Emilia provides Portman with an opportunity to spread her wings acting-wise and break from her "Star Wars heroine" image; Emilia being a generally unlikeable character.

David Mohler, the managing director of Screen Capital Intl. and chairman of Incentive Filmed Entertainment, says, "We were left in the lurch by one actress and rescued by another. It goes to show that, particularly with independent features, nothing is more important than the talent. It's a blessing that Natalie loved the script and now we've got a strong film that we can sell." Portman will be starring opposite Scott Cohen and Charlie Tahan. Love and Other Impossible Pursuits is scheduled to start filming on November 10.