Julia Roberts plans Joan Root biopic

The 'Pretty Woman' star will play murdered wildlife conservationist Joan Root in a forthcoming biopic.

May 22 2007

Julia Roberts is to collaborate with Working Title Films to make a film about murdered wildlife conservationist Joan Root. Roberts will take the lead role in the as-yet-untitled pic, which will be loosely based on Mark Seal's recent Vanity Fair article 'A Flowering Evil'.

The film will follow Root's life from her early work on a series of award-winning wildlife documentaries through to her efforts to save Kenya's Lake Naivasha from the ecologically damaging but highly lucrative flower-farm industry. Many believe her murder was as a direct result of this work.

Speaking of the project, Working Title's Tim Bevan said 'We are thrilled to be making a film about such a courageous, adventurous and passionate woman and delighted that Julia Roberts chares our enthusiasm for the project and will take on the role of Joan.'

'Finding Neverland' screenwriter David Magee will pen the script, with shooting expected to take place on location in Africa next year.