Dreamer: According to The Hollywood Reporter, Dakota Fanning is off to the races. The young actress has booked a lead part opposite Kurt Russell in DreamWorks' Dreamer for helmer John Gatins and Tollin/Robbins Prods.

Shooting is scheduled to start next month, with Fanning heading off for horse training next week in Louisiana.

Kris Kristofferson also joins the cast. The project, inspired by a true story, originally centered on a Kentucky horse trainer and his 11-year-old son who rescue a horse with a broken leg. The two then help nurse the animal back to health and take it to race in the Breeders' Cup.

However, the filmmakers rewrote the part with Fanning in mind to play the youngster opposite Russell. Kristofferson will play the father of Russell's character.