Knightley, a favourite over Johansson

London: It seems like British beauty Keira Knightley has raced ahead of Hollywood bombshell Scarlett Johansson and is now the favourite to play the lead in the new version of `My Fair Lady`.The 24-year-old actress is reportedly in negotiations to play Eliza Doolittle in Emma Thompson`s adaptation of the classic rags-to-riches tale, Femalefirst reported.

Anne Hathaway and Johansson were also being considered for the role, which was originally played by movie legend Audrey Hepburn. "Keira and Scarlett are the only two real contenders and Keira`s the favourite. She`s the most natural Eliza people have seen. She has worked on her singing voice for a year and will get better and better," an insider said. Academy Award winning filmmaker Danny Boyle who will helm the film is also believed to want Knightley to get the part. The `Pirates of the Caribbean` actress who is working on her singing for a year, is reportedly "scared" about taking on such an iconic role, but excited about the challenge it would present. Shooting of the film is expected to start late next year. Bureau Report