Is the whole world against Natalie Portman and Michael Fassbender working together? The two almost joined forces for JANE GOT A GUN before he left the project in March, and now Deadline has learned that Portman will no longer be playing Lady Macbeth opposite Fassbender in a new version of MACBETH. Instead, Marion Cotillard has signed on to star as the scheming leading lady from the William Shakespeare play.
Normally I'll take as much Natalie Portman as I can get, but in this case I actually think Marion Cotillard is a better fit. In my opinion Cotillard has the superior "bitch face" that is needed in order to portray Lady Macbeth. MACBETH will be directed by Justin Kurzel (SNOWTOWN, THE TURNING) and the new version will include battle scenes that are not in the original play.
MACBETH is scheduled to start filming in the U.K. in January 2014.