Keira Knightley to play Catherine the Great in biopic?

Los Angeles: Filmmaker Barbra Streisand is considering actress Keira Knightley to play the title role in her upcoming biopic on Catherine the Great.

Keira Knightley. Pic/Santa Banta

The Oscar-nominated actress has been eyed to play the role of the Russian monarch in the film, whose script has been written by Kristina Lauren Anderson, reports hollywoodreporter.com.

Keira Knightley has been in talks for the project since last year.

Born Sophia Augusta Fredericka, Catherine the Great became the longest-ruling female leader of Russia.

The film, which is set to be produced by Gil Netter, will follow the young empress as she finds herself trapped in an abusive marriage to inept ruler Emperor Peter III and eventually uses her intelligence and cunning to rise to power.