Jennifer Lawrence is set to star in Universal’s adaptation of “East of Eden,” with Gary Ross on board to direct.

Brian Grazer will produce for Imagine Entertainment and Anna Culp will serve as executive producer.

Based on the John Steinbeck novel, the story revolves around a father and two sons in California’s Salinas Valley, and the dark secrets about their mother, whom they thought dead. The book was originally adapted by director Elia Kazan, and the classic film starred James Dean.

Lawrence will play at an earlier time in her life the role of the mother who was played by Jo Van Fleet in the 1955 version. Some may wonder why the studio would cast the role that isn’t exactly seen as the most important but U may have heard of Lawrence’s interest in working again with Ross and did not want to miss out on the opportunity given her busy schedule.

The CAA-repped Lawrence can be seen next in “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.” Ross is repped by CAA.

Deadline Hollywood broke the news.