Natalie Portman attached to 'Black Swan'

Rex Features

Natalie Portman has signed up for Darren Aronofsky's supernatural thriller Black Swan, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The project, which has been under development at Universal since 2007, is based in the world of New York City ballet.

Portman's character is a veteran ballerina who finds herself involved in an increasingly dangerous battle with a rival dancer ahead of a big competition. However, it is not clear if her enemy's strange behaviour is based on supernatural powers or if it is all in the imagination of the protagonist.

The script, which has been reworked by Mark Heyman, has been compared to Nicole Kidman's The Others.

Black Swan could begin shooting later this year, depending on Aronofsky's commitments with MGM's Robocop reboot.