Nicole Kidman to replace Naomi Watts in `Queen of the Desert`

Los Angeles: Oscar-winner Nicole Kidman is in talks to replace Naomi Watts in director Werner Herzog`s `Queen Of The Desert`, a film about the early 20th Century explorer Gertrude Bell.

The film has already seen a change in male leaders earlier this year with James Franco replacing Jude Law. The film also stars Robert Pattinson. Bell is the iconic explorer, writer, archeologist and attache for the British Empire who is credited with helping to catalyze the formation of the Middle East at the dawn of the 20th century, reported Deadline. Bell helped establish the Hashemite dynasties in what is today Jordan as well as in Iraq with T E Lawrence, whose life story has already been told in `Lawrence of Arbia`. Nick Raslan is producing through his Palmyra Films banner along with Cassian Elwes and Michael Benaroya. Benaroya`s Benaroya Pictures banner will finance the film. PTI