Keira-KnightleyWith Lynn Shelton’s Touchy Feely having made its Sundance debut, set for theatrical release this September, eyes are already turning to her next project, Laggies.

The film was set to star Anne Hathaway in the lead, who is coming off the back of her Oscar-winning performance in Les Misérables. We recently heard that Hathaway had signed on to reunite with Christopher Nolan for the director’s next film, Interstellar. And it turns out that the role has forced her to exit Shelton’s Laggies, which is a real shame.

Fortunately, all is still well for the film, with EW reporting that Keira Knightley is in talks to take the lead in Hathaway’s place.

Laggies tells the story of a young woman who reacts to her boyfriend’s marriage proposal by pretending to go on a business retreat while she actually hunkers down with a new 16-year old  friend (Chloë Grace Moretz).

Last seen leading the Oscar-winning Anna Karenina, Knightley has two incredibly promising (and equally differing) films due out this year with the independent film, Can A Song Save Your Life?, and Kenneth Branagh’s action-thriller blockbuster, Jack Ryan.

Adding another independent movie in the form of Laggies to her slate is definitely an awesome move in my books, and I can’t wait to see her take the lead under Shelton’s direction.

She joins an already excellent cast, starring alongside Chloë Grace Moretz, Sam Rockwell, and Mark Webber.

Shelton is set to direct from a script penned by newcomer Andrea Seigel. And in her post-film Q&A for Touchy Feely at Sundance London – you can read our review here – she noted that the film will be her most expensive production to date.

It’s not yet known exactly when Laggies will be heading into production. But I’m personally hoping it will be very soon, and that Shelton might be eyeing another Sundance debut out in Utah early next year.