Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Reynolds to Star in Indie Biopic ‘Big Eyes’

Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Reynolds are attached to star in the indie biopic Big Eyes, which is based on the true story of Margaret and Walter Keane, whose pop-eyed paintings became a sensation in the 1960s.

Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski will write and direct the film, with Tim Burton set to produce via his Tim Burton Productions. Lynette Howell and Jamie Patricof will also produce through Electric City Entertainment. Principal photography is scheduled to begin this spring.

The Keanes’ lives were filled with controversy: Though Margaret (who will be played by Witherspoon) was the true talent, Walter (Reynolds) claimed credit for her work, which was sold under his name.

“We are ecstatic to have this dream cast for our dream project,” Alexander and Karaszewski said in a joint statement. “Walter is a larger-than-life antihero — charming, funny, dangerous, and a little crazy. Ryan will knock it out of the park. As for Reese, she will be perfect as Margaret — soulful, decent, transforming from vulnerability to learning to fight for herself.”

Karaszewski and Alexander, whose credits include The People Vs. Larry Flynt and Man on the Moon, previously collaborated with Burton on Ed Wood.

Reynolds will next been seen in the Universal thriller Safe House, whichs bows Feb. 10. Witherspoon will next appear in Fox’s This Means War, which opens Feb. 17.

Alexander and Karaszewski are represented by UTA. Reynolds is represented by CAA and Witherspoon is represented by CAA and Management 360. Burton is repped by WME.

Email: Daniel.Miller@THR.com; Jay.Fernandez@THR.com

Twitter: @DanielNMiller; @Writer730