Catherine Hardwicke is in the process of inking a deal with New Line Cinema to direct a film about the Virgin Mary's life before the birth of Christ.

The studio is particularly keen to enlist Hardwicke (Lords of Dogtown, Thirteen) because she will be able to tell Mary's story with a strong feminist tilt, The Hollywood Reporter says.

Written by Mike Rich, Nativity focuses on both Mary and Joseph as their faith is tested in the years before Jesus is born, and chronicles their journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem.