Saoirse Ronan Will Be ‘Mary Queen Of Scots’

Saoirse Ronan is one of the more interesting young actors working right now, first turning heads in Joe Wright’s “Atonement” and impressing in films like Joe Wright's "Hanna" and Peter Weir’s “The Way Back,” and now joining yet another project, “Elizabeth” writer Michael Hirst’s “Mary Queen Of Scots.”

Ronan will play the titular character, who was crowned the queen of Scotland before she was a year old and and certainly led a colorful, eventful life. After becoming queen consort to France, she married a first cousin, who wound up being murdered. She then hooked up with the guy accused of setting up the killing, leading to an an uprising and imprisonment in Loch Leven Castle. Later, she attempted to assassinate Queen Elizabeth, and was ultimately executed for her failed effort. So yes it's a meaty role, with lots of notes to play for actress.

It will be interesting to see what part of Mary's life the film will focus on — she died at the age of 45, but with Ronan currently 18 years old, will she be aged up for the later parts of the story? Guess we'll see. Ronan will be joining a number of actresses who have tackled the role over the years including Samantha Morton in "Elizabeth: The Golden Age" and of course Vanessa Redgrave in Charles Jarrot's own "Mary, Queen Of Scots."

Right now there’s no director attached but with production already aimed to start next year, no doubt the producers are on the lookout.[Deadline]