Yesterday, we reported the exciting news that Michael Fassbender was set to lead a new screen adaptation of William Shakespeare's Macbeth.  We also reported that talks were "underway with at least one Hollywood leading actress," to play the role of Lady Macbeth.  Today, Screen Daily is reporting that the actress is Natalie Portman, and she has agreed to take the part.  Directed by Justin Kurzel (The Snowtown Murders) and written by Todd Louiso and Jacob Koskoff, the adaptation will take place in the 11th century, and will "be a visceral approach to the story including significant battle scenes."  This will be the second collaboration between Fassbender and Portman.  The two co-starred in Terrence Malick's upcoming film about the Austin music scene.  They were set to reunite on Jane Got a Gun, but Fassbender dropped out shortly before filming began.  Although Portman is a producer on that film, it looks like there's no bad blood between the two.

But as we mentioned yesterday, don't expect Macbeth to hit the fast track just yet.  It still needs to be shopped out to buyers, and just as Fassbender and Kurzel have busy schedules, Portman is circling the biopic Jackie, the gun-running thriller Code Name Sasha, and the drama Last Witness.  She'll next be seen in Thor: The Dark World.