LOS ANGELES: Natalie Portman is to star in Love and Other Impossible Pursuits, a romantic comedy adapted from a successful novel of the same name, the trade publication Variety reported on October 28.

Portman, 27, replaces singer-actress Jennifer Lopez who abruptly backed out of the project, Variety reported.

Perhaps best known for her role as Padme Amidala in the three most recent Star Wars films, Portman will portray a woman who discovers that the way to save her marriage is through her relationship with her 10 year-old stepson. Portman will also be the movie’s executive producer. The movie co-stars Scott Cohen and Charlie Tahan and filming is to begin in Manhattan on November 10, Variety reported.