Scarlett Johansson eyes 'Zoo' role

HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 6 (UPI) -- Scarlett Johansson says she is getting closer to signing on with Matt Damon in a starring role in "We Bought a Zoo," a new drama to be directed by Cameron Crow.

The Hollywood Reporter said Saturday that Johansson would play Damon's ailing wife in the true-life tale of Benjamin Mee, who bought a run-down British zoo.

Mee's wife was dying of brain cancer at the same time he and his children were trying to learn the business of caring for exotic animals and get the zoo ready to re-open.

Damon committed to the project this summer. Julie Yorn is producing the film for Fox.