Natalie Portman has signed on to star in the William Shakespeare adaptation Macbeth as Lady Macbeth. Just yesterday, we reported that Michael Fassbender will portray the title character, Lord Macbeth. Natalie Portman has long wanted to portray Lady Macbeth, previously considering joining stage versions of the story.

The screenplay was written by Todd Louiso and Jacob Koskoff (The Marc Pease Experience), which is one of the hottest scripts heading into the Cannes Film Festival next month. The script retains the original 11th Century setting of William Shakespeare's classic play, which follows a cunning Scottish Lord who seizes the throne of Great Britain, with the help of his wife and a trio of witches. The screenplay is said to take a more visceral approach to the battle scenes, while keeping most of the original dialogue intact.

Justin Kurzel (The Snowtown Murders) is directing, with Iain Canning and Emile Sherman (Shame) producing for Film4. Production is scheduled to begin later this year.

Natalie Portman and Michael Fassbender were previously slated to work together in Jane Got a Gun, before the actor left the project in March.