Jennifer Lawrence is set to star as Zelda Fitzgerald in a new biopic.

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence

The 26-year-old actress will take on the role of the titular character in the biopic known currently as 'Zelda', the wife of author F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Ron Howard is developing the idea for the project, and is interested in taking up directorial duties too, though no director has been confirmed for the project yet.

The screenplay - written by 'The White Queen' writer Emma Frost - centres around Zelda and her relationship with her husband, to whom she is both his muse and his fiercest competitor.

The movie then explores how Zelda - who was later diagnosed with schizophrenia and descended into madness - and her husband cope with being creative equals. The storyline is based on Nancy Milford's biography, also called 'Zelda'.

The movie is currently being produced by former Lionsgate executive Allison Shearmur, who helped bring Jennifer to the forefront of Hollywood in 'The Hunger Games' movie franchise. She has also produced the live-action 'Cinderella' and the upcoming 'Star Wars' spin off 'Rogue One: A Star Wars Story'.

Brian Oliver and Justine Ciarrochi will join her as producers, and financing will come from Oliver's Cross Creek Pictures.

No dates have been confirmed for the start of shooting or the for the release of the movie, and no other casting announcements have been made yet.