The Rivals: Steven Spielberg has preemptively purchased The Rivals, a drama about the catfight between 19th century stage stars Sarah Bernhardt and Eleonora Duse, for DreamWorks. Variety says Robin Swicord wrote the script and Spielberg is eyeing it as a possible directing vehicle.

The French actress Bernhardt ruled the stages in the late 19th century, until the Italian-born Duse came along with youth and a more natural style. So heated was the diva competition that the actresses would play the same part in the same show on different nights, with critics and socialites turning out twice to compare. The rivalry carried over to romance and the social circle as well.

Stay tuned...