Image by Getty Images

We’ve seen the talented Natalie Portman play all different kinds of roles, from Luke Skywalker’s mother Padme Amidala in “Star Wars” to ballerina Nina Sayers in “Black Swan” to the ill-fated Anne Boleyn in “The Other Boleyn Girl.” Now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, we will be treated to seeing her star in a western.

A deal for making the film, titled “Jane Got a Gun,” is currently being brokered in Cannes. “The movie is still coming together, but sources say a bidding war has erupted in Cannes as CAA, which is packaging the project, has quietly shopped it around. Multiple financiers and foreign sales agents — all of whom are gathered on the Croisette for the film festival and market — are in the mix, along with several studios back in Los Angeles,” according to the exclusive report.

Portman is said to be set to produce, as well as star in, the film written by Brian Duffield, which will be directed by Lynne Ramsay. Its story centers on a woman (Portman’s character) with an outlaw husband, who shows up at home full of gunshot wounds. When his gang tracks him down in an effort to finish him off, the wife finds herself reaching out to an ex-lover for help in defending her farm.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

This western project sound sounds like it could very well lead to another Oscar nomination for Portman. And should she not win, the Academy would likely not be forgiven…at least by the actress’s many fans.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount