Knightley to play Karenina?

The actress is top of the list to play Tolstoy's tragic heroine

Keira Knightley is one of the actresses on the list to play Anna Karenina in a film of Leo Tolstoy's classic Russian novel.

The novel is currently being adapted for the screen by British playwright Tom Stoppard and Atonement's Joe Wright is said to be directing.

The film has not been given the go ahead yet, but the production company behind it, Working Title, is expecting the script to be ready by Christmas.

If Knightley does indeed land the role of Anna Karenina, it will be the third time she works with director Joe Wright.
The pair have already worked together on Oscar nominated Pride and Prejudice and Oscar winner Atonement.