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Renée Zellweger to play Beatrix Potter

The 'Bridget Jones' star will play the children's author in a forthcoming period biopic.

Sep 29 2005

Renée Zellweger, currently riding high at the London box office in 'Cinderella Man', is to star in a biopic of legendary author Beartix Potter, for 'Babe' director Chris Noonan.

'Miss Potter' will explore the life and times of the writer of such children's classics as 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit' and 'The Tale of Mrs Tiggy-Winkle', and the film will mix live-action with several scenes of animation.

Following her struggle for independence in Victorian England, the film will also chart Potter's romance with publisher Norman Warne, a role that Ewan McGregor is reportedly in talks with the film's producers to play.

If he does accept, 'Miss Potter' will mark the first time McGregor has acted opposite Zellweger since they teamed up for 2003 romantic comedy 'Down with Love'.

Richard Maltby Jr, who directed the Broadway hit 'Fosse' and co-wrote the lyrics of 'Miss Saigon', is currently busy working on the script, with production set to start on location in the UK next March.

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User comments on this story

  • Andy said...
    i played a rural farmer in this film & hanna mcmillan played my wife. few scenes with us as a young farming couple. johnny guitar was also in it Posted on Jun 05 2007 15:10
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  • Leticia said...
    I saw it here, but it was on very limited release, I had to drive through a snowstorm to see it. I hope you can get it on DVD. Posted on May 05 2007 00:02
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  • Mrs. Morgan said...
    I just heard this movie existed, and am currently sobbing in my coffee because it apparently isn't released in the US! Posted on Apr 28 2007 06:08
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  • milton said...
    What is the name of the actress who plays norman's Mother in the film. Has she been in anything else? Posted on Mar 17 2007 03:54
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  • Leticia Velasquez said...
    I have just seen it, and will reccommend it to all my friends, mostly Catholic homeschooling mothers, It's a fitting tribute to a woman who has given so much to generations of children. Posted on Feb 26 2007 20:43
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  • charl said...
    hi i think the film is great and i love the lakes Posted on Feb 05 2007 15:48
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  • Diane said...
    There are sooo many Brits playing American parts i'ts staggering. There dialects are not always spot on, but I don't care (I'm American). If they're good for the part, so be it. It's called acting. You may disagree with the choice of Ms. Zellweger, but who really cares where they come from if they do a good job? Posted on Jan 12 2007 19:23
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  • Regina McCarthy said...
    Horrah!! A movie about a much underappreciated femal figure in history. An artist and scientist who did not get the credit she deserved because of her gender. Let's hope the love story doesn't miss this. Posted on Dec 13 2006 20:08
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  • Sarah Hogoboom said...
    I am sure this will be a wonderful movie. Posted on Dec 12 2006 01:45
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  • Christopher Makin (set designer) said...
    Another yank playing an English role. Tell me, is there a shortage of English actresses for the part of Beatrix ? America trying to re-writing history again. Posted on Dec 10 2006 11:13
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  • Penelope Manning said...
    What a fantastic film to look forward too.My very favourite person.Wonderful people to play the characters. Posted on Dec 06 2006 07:36
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  • tasha said...
    I know Lucy Boynton shes my friens why dont you mention her? Posted on Dec 04 2006 19:41
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  • jodie said...
    I know the little girl who is playing the young beatrix! Her name is lucy boynton. Renee is playing Beatrix but i dont know about Ewan. Posted on Nov 30 2006 09:34
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  • Rita said...
    I totally agree Miss Potter should be played by a British actress. I keep a panoramic photo I took at Hilltop Farm (garden gate loaded with flowers) at my work desk in Arizona - so beautiful and peaceful. Am so looking forward to the film's release. Posted on Nov 29 2006 15:45
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  • Angela said...
    The movie "Miss Potter" will be in cinemas in January next year in England and in the USA end of December/ It's not known yeat when it will hit cinimas in Europe. Posted on Oct 20 2006 13:53
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