Dakota Fanning and Tom Sturridge slated for 'Effie'

Thompson, director Richard Laxton and actor Greg Wise remain on board. The film tells the story of Effie Gray, who marries a much older man, John Ruskin, only to fall in love with and run away with his more age-appropriate protege, the painter John Everett Millais. Sturridge will be Millais and Wise, Ruskin. Julie Walters, Derek Jacobi and Edward Fox have also joined the new cast. The film will begin production soon with the hope of having its world premiere at the 2012 Venice Film Festival.

Last November, Saoirse Ronan was announced to be taking on the title role in Emma Thompson-penned period romantic drama “Effie”, but as is often the case in long-gestating projects, Ronan, along with co-star Orlando Bloom, has moved on. Deadline reports Dakota Fanningis now in negotiations for the part vacated by Ronan, and British up and comer Tom Sturridge will replace Bloom as her love interest.

Fanning recently took a short hiatus from work to finish high school, but has been back on the job with a vengeance. She recently completed work on gritty drama “The Motel Life”, jewelry heist thriller “Mississippi Wild” and is currently filming angsty teen drama “Now is Good” opposite “War Horse” star Jeremy Irvine. Sturridge is part of the impressive ensemble cast of Walter Salles’ adaptation of “On the Road” and will next star opposite Jeremy Irons in pre-WWI family drama “The Tree House”.

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Via Twilightish