AceShowbiz -

Rooney Mara is close to portraying a holy figure in Garth Davis' movie. The Oscar-nominated actress is in talks to portray Mary Magdalene who traveled with Jesus as one of his followers after He saved her from execution.

"Rooney's raw, brave approach to performances, coupled with her deeply magnetic inner life, holds all the dimensions needed to bring to life one of history's most misunderstood woman," Davis told Deadline. "Having worked with Rooney on 'Lion', I know she is a once in a lifetime talent."

Magdalene had been portrayed in Hollywood a number of times. Monica Bellucci portrayed her in "The Passion of the Christ" while Barbara Hershey played her in Martin Scorsese's "The Last Temptation of Christ".

"Lion" is a drama set in Calcutta, India starring Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman among others. The film, which is based on a true story about an Indian boy who got lost after boarding the wrong train, is set to open in theaters later this year.

Mara is now thrown into the Oscar race for her supporting role in period drama "Carol". She recently wrapped the filming of "Una", an adaptation of David Harrower's play "Blackbird", as well as Jim Sherridan's drama "The Secret Scripture".