AceShowbiz -

Words are Keira Knightley's new film project, after her portrayal of controversial Duchess of Devonshire in "The Duchess", will be another period piece romance, "The Beautiful and the Damned". According to Hollywood Reporter, the English starlet is encircling the leading lady role as tempestuous Zelda Sayre by involving in a negotiation for the part.

If Knightley indeed took the role of Sayre, this would continue her entanglement with period movies. She has recently starred in "Duchess", which came out on September 19, in World War I drama epic with James McAvoy "Atonement" and in Alessandro Baricco's adapted novel "Silk". Before those, she has also played Elizabeth Bennet in Jane Austen's adaptation "Pride and Prejudice".

Having "The Notebook" director Nick Cassavetes attached to helm the project, "Damned" is an adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's second novel of the same name. The story is believed to be revolving around Fitzgerald and his lover Sayre. Though living what seems to be a perfect life, the relationship between the two is infested by jealousy and acrimony.