Natalie Portman and Eric Bana are in final negotiations to topline Columbia Pictures' "The Other Boleyn Girl." Justin Chadwick has signed on to direct the historical drama, which is based on a novel by Philippa Gregory.

The story revolves around the ferociously ambitious Boleyn sisters, Mary and Anne (Portman), who are rivals for the bed and heart of 16th century English King Henry VIII (Bana). Peter Morgan ("The Last King of Scotland") adapted the screenplay.

Shooting is set to begin in late September in Europe.

BBC Films, which originally acquired book rights and made a 2003 telefilm starring Natascha McElhone, also is a producer on the film. Alison Owen, who partnered with BBC to make a big-screen version of the story, will serve as a producer on the Columbia project alongside BBC's David Thompson. Scott Rudin, who set the film up with Columbia, will executive produce. Focus Features has the option to acquire international rights.

Sony's Amy Baer and Rachel O'Connor are overseeing for the studio.

Portman recently toplined "V for Vendetta." The Oscar-nominated actress' ("Closer") credits include "Free Zone," "Garden State" and "Cold Mountain." She is repped by CAA, Brillstein-Grey and attorney George Sheanshang.

Bana, who most recently starred in Steven Spielberg's "Munich," next appears in Curtis Hanson's "Lucky You." He is repped by WMA and attorney Robert Offer.

Chadwick's helming credits include last year's "Bleak House," the BAFTA-winning TV series based on a Charles Dickens' novel. "Boleyn" marks his first feature film. He is repped by UTA and ICM London.