Madsen climbs aboard Earheart biopic

'Sideways'

Virginia Madsen has joined Hilary Swank and Richard Gere in the upcoming biopic of Amelia Earhart.

Amelia follows the aviator's career and turbulent relationship with publisher-promoter George Putnam, whom she eventually married. She disappeared in 1937 over the Pacific Ocean while attempting to circumnavigate the globe.

Swank and Gere will play Earheart and Putnam, while Madsen will take the role of Putnam's first wife Dorothy Binney, reports Variety.

Mira Nair is attached to direct the project for Avalon Pictures and Fox Searchlight. Ron Bass wrote the screenplay and Swank will serve as executive producer.

Filming begins in Canada and South Africa later this month.