Kate Hudson to star in artist biopic

Kate Hudson is to take the lead role in Big Eyes, a biopic of 1960s artist Margaret Keane.

Keane was famous for her drawings of children with large eyes, which were sold under the name of then-husband Walter. During their divorce proceedings, she was forced to paint in front of a judge to prove that the works were hers and gain the right to use her own name.

According to Variety, the independently-financed movie will focus on her "personal awakening" as a result of the feminist movement and the subsequent lawsuit over her artwork.

It will be directed by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski from their own script.

Hudson is currently promoting adventure film Fool's Gold, in which she stars with Matthew McConaughey. The pair have revealed that they had to flee from deadly jellyfish while shooting the movie in Australia.