Two-time Oscar nominee Rooney Mara is in talks to star as Mary Magdalene in a biopic of the important Biblical figure.
The casting was first reported by Deadline, which notes that the film will be directed by Top of the Lake’s Garth Davis. It will be produced by Universal Pictures International Productions with See-Saw Films.
Davis worked with Mara on Lion, which was also produced by See-Saw Films and is now in post-production. It will hit theaters at the end of the year.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Mary Magdalene film will be written by Helen Edmundson and Philippa Goslett.
Mary Magdalene was a devoted follower of Jesus and it is thought that she saw his crucifixion and resurrection. She was played by Barbara Hershey in The Last Temptation of Christ and by Monica Bellucci in Passion of the Christ.
Mara was last seen in Todd Haynes’ Carol, which earned her a Best Supporting Actress Oscar nomination, even though she is clearly one of the leads in that film. She was also nominated for Best Actress for The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.