Natalie Portman ‘In the Garden of Beasts’?

Word around the campfire, is that Natalie Portman is being wooed for a role in an adaptation of Erik Larson’s 2011 non-fiction book, In the Garden of Beasts, which will feature Tom Hanks.

The work chronicles the career of William Dodd (Hanks), American ambassador to Germany from 1933 to 1937 during the Nazi era. Initially, Dodd and his family, including daughter Martha (who would be played by Portman) were seduced by the glitz and glamour of pre-war Berlin. Martha, in particular, embraced the hedonistic aspects of the city, having numerous love affairs with men of power and influence, including Rudolf Diels, first chief of the Gestapo. However, within a few months, the family soon came to realize the insidious nature of Hitler and the Nazi regime. After receiving reports of brutality and anti-Semitism, Dodd attempted to enlighten the State Department, but to largely deaf ears. In 1937, he reigned from his post, and began a campaign ardently opposing the Nazi regime until his death from illness in 1940.

Hanks is already set to star, in addition to producing the project with partner Gary Goetzman. Portman has yet to officially sign on, but the production team in evidently campaigning hard for her involvement. Michel Hazanavicius, fresh off his Oscar win for Best Director of The Artist earlier this year, will be at the helm. Portman will next appear in two Terrence Malick films, Knight of Cups and an untitled project, both slated for 2013.