More screentime for the Queen of Scots

Mary Queen of Scots is getting a lot of screen time these days.  Barbra Flynn portrayed her in last year's critically acclaimed mini-series Elizabeth I, Samantha Morten took over the crown for Elizabeth: The Golden Age due later this year and finally, it was announced at the Cannes market yesterday that Scarlett Johansson will be turning in a performance as the doomed queen in a Warner Independent Pictures production of the events. 

John Curran is tapped to direct from a screenplay by Jimmy McGovern, aptly titled Mary Queen of Scots. The story follows the imperiled Scottish queen who battles political enemies, scheming allies and affairs of the heart in her quest to unite the warring clans of her country.

Curran has a good track record with Warner Independent Pictures.  He first started off with the family/infidelity drama We Don't Live Here Anymore and followed up with last year's Shanghai period piece The Painted Veil.

This project seems right up Curran's alley; he knows how to bring out the drama and has a steady eye.  The decision to cast Johansson, however, seems somewhat remiss.  Although she's good at playing poutey Americans in foreign cities, the intense life of Mary I doesn’t (at first glance) seem in conjunction with the actress’s talents.  Johansson is now an A-list actress it’s her next few films that will be critical for her to maintain that status.  Her mother, Melanie Johansson, is producing.