Rooney Mara In Talks To Be Mary Magdalene in New Biopic

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo star Rooney Mara is reportedly in talks to play Mary Magdalene in a new biopic.

The untitled project is slated to begin shooting this summer and is described as an “authentic and humanistic portrait” of the controversial figure who was saved by Jesus Christ.

If Mara signs on to the film, she will reunite with Garth Davis – the director of her latest film, Lion.

“Rooney’s raw, brave approach to performances, coupled with her deeply magnetic inner life, holds all the dimensions needed to bring to life one of history’s most misunderstood woman – Mary Magdalene,” Davis says in a statement released to Deadline. “Having worked with Rooney on Lion, I know she is a once-in-a-lifetime talent.”

The movie is scheduled to hit theaters next year.

Barbara Hershey and Monica Bellucci have previously portrayed Mary Magdalene on film.

Mara has a number of projects on the go currently, as she recently completed the Untitled Terrence Malick Project, Una, The Secret Scripture, Lion, The Discovery and Kubo and the Two Strings.

Mara received much acclaim for her role in 2015 release Carol, having received nominations at the forthcoming Academy Awards and BAFTA Awards for the performance. The star also won the Best Actress award at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, but Mara previously insisted she won’t let all the success go to her head.

“Getting nominated means something,” she told Elle. “You will get better parts, and I really do want people to see the film. But I don’t feel like it’s something I’m desperate for. I would forgo it all to keep my integrity.”

Photo Credit: Helga Esteb / Shutterstock.com