Natalie Portman Drops Out of Wuthering Heights

A few weeks back we reported on news that Natalie Portman would be starring in a new version of Wuthering Heights, based on the classic Emily Bronte novel. It now looks like it isn’t the case.

Variety reports that the actress has left the film, which comes as a surprise given she was one of the project’s driving creative forces. The departure is due to a scheduling conflict with another as-yet unannounced project, according to her publicist.

Portman had been set to play Cathy, and currently there’s no word on who will replace her. Up-and-coming British actor Michael Fassbender, is in advanced negotiations to play the lead male role of Heathcliff.

Portman is also planning to make her directorial debut with an adaptation of Israeli writer Amos Oz’s memoir “A Tale of Love and Darkness” at some point in the near future.