Knightley in talks to play Zelda

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- British actress Keira Knightley is in talks to play author F. Scott Fitzgerald's wife Zelda in the new film "The Beautiful and the Damned."

The Hollywood Reporter said "The Notebook" and "Alpha Dog" director Nick Cassavetes is helming the movie about the Jazz Age icons and their tempestuous relationship.

Fitzgerald was the author of "The Beautiful and the Damned," "The Great Gatsby," "Tender is the Night," "The Love of the Last Tycoon" and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button."

The Hollywood Reporter said newcomer Hanna Weg wrote the screenplay for "Beautiful," which is scheduled to begin production in April.

Knightley is known for her roles in the current release, "The Duchess," as well as the "Pirates of the Caribbean" blockbusters, "Atonement" and "Pride and Prejudice."