Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon

Reese Witherspoon is to star in new drama 'Wild'.

The actress has signed on for the lead role in the big screen adaptation of Cheryl Strayed's best-selling novel, which is based on a screenplay from Nick Hornby, according to Deadline.

The book and movie centre on a 26-year-old woman who finds herself at a crossroads in life following the end of her marriage and death of her mother, and so decides to do a 1,000 mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail all by herself.

The 'Mud' star will also produce the drama through her Pacific Standard production company alongside Bruce Papandrea and Bill Pohlad.

Fox Searchlight is financing and distributing the movie and will begin production on the feature later this year after a director is selected for the project.

Horby is an Oscar-nominated screenwriter and author, who is best known for writing the script for 'An Education' starring Carey Mulligan.

Many of his own books have also been turned into movies, the most famous adaptation being 'About a Boy', which starred Hugh Grant and Nicholas Hoult.

Reese recently signed up to star in female buddy comedy, 'Don't Mess with Texas', which will co-star Sofia Vergara.

She is also set to produce an adaptation of best-selling book, 'Gone Girl', which will star Ben Affleck and be directed by David Fincher.