Natalie Portman has entered into talks to play an aspiring bull rider in Bronco Belle, a tale doused in female empowerment from My Life as a Poppat scribe Khurram Longi.

Sony Pictures, TriStar are also in early talks to finance and distribute the project, which also has Anna Rose Holmer in talks to take the helm. Portman and Holmer have been attached to the picture since March, which looks set to go into production next year.

The story focuses on a waitress, Raylene Jackson, she dreams of becoming a champion steer rider with the help of an ornery veteran mentor. She is not welcomed as she infiltrates the male-dominated rodeo circuit, but the film takes on a Rocky-esque tone because even though she seems overmatched by the beasts she rides, but she keeps fighting for her dream, overcoming all hurdles placed in her way.

Bronco Belle

Portman seems to be a bit of an advocate of female lead films of late, only recently wrapping on Alex Garland’s follow-up up to Ex-Machina, Annihilation where she plays a biologist who leads a team of scientists into mysterious terrain known as “Area X” where nature has reclaimed the land. There, they face contamination, disappearances, and deadly creatures. She will star opposite Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriquez and Creed’s Tessa Thompson, the film is set for a February 2018 release.

The actress who received a Best Actress Academy Award nomination for her portrayal of First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy in Pablo Larraín’s experimental biopic can currently be seen in Terence Malik’s latest, Song to Song opposite Michael Fassbender, Ryan Gosling and Rooney Mara.