NEW YORK -- Samantha Morton is in negotiations to play Diane Arbus in a biopic of the seminal American photographer's life to be titled "Fur" and to be directed by Steven Shainberg.

Arbus, considered one of the greatest American photographers of the 20th century, was known for creating images that were often bizarre or disturbing. She committed suicide in 1971.

The project reteams Shainberg, who is an avid collector of American photography, with his "Secretary" screenwriter, Erin Cressida Wilson. Wilson is adapting the "Fur" screenplay from Patricia Bosworth's book "Diane Arbus: A Biography."

The film is being produced by the Edward R. Pressman Film Corp., along with Bonnie Timmermann and Vincent Farrell's Iron Films banner.

"Secretary" executive producer Michael Roban will exec produce "Fur" with Alessandro Camon.

Content International is handling overseas rights.

Morton stars in the current UA release "Code 46," with Tim Robbins. She received a best actress Oscar nomination for last year's "In America." Her credits also include Steven Spielberg's "Minority Report" and Woody Allen's "Sweet and Lowdown."

She is repped by CAA and Conway Van Gelder in the United Kingdom.