By James White | Posted 2 Feb 2016

Biblical figure Mary Magdalene was one of controversy even before she was portrayed in movies such as The Last Temptation Of Christ. Now she's set to be the focus of a biopic, with Carol's Rooney Mara in talks to take the lead.

Garth Davis is directing this one, with a script written by Helen Edmundson and Philippa Goslett. There is no indication yet as to how she'll be portrayed – her reputation as a repentant prostitute is not supported by the Gospels, so we'll have to wait and see what story this new film will tell. But it comes from King's Speech producers Iain Canning and Emile Sherman, so we'd expect prestige over pulp. Still, the casting has already drawn criticism given Magdalene's background is Jewish and Middle Eastern, and the choice of Mara as Tiger Lily in Pan led to consternation.

“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 – Mary Magdalene, says Davis. "Having worked with Rooney on Lion, I know she is a once in a lifetime talent.”

Mara will also be seen in Terrence Malick's untitled new film and is voicing a character in Laika's latest, Kubo And The Two Strings, due here on September 9.