Nicole Kidman, Michael Grandage to Take PHOTOGRAPH 51 to the Big Screen?

After earning rave reviews for her portrayal of DNA pioneer Rosalind Franklin in Anna Ziegler's new West End play PHOTOGRAPH 51, Nicole Kidman is in talks with Michael Grandage to bring the project to the silver screen.

The Daily Mail reports that Grandage and his business partner James Bierman have plans for a film version of the tale. "It's going to be a proper picture," Grandage told the Mail.

Kidman added that the movie is "a way off" and that she is focusing her first return to the London stage in 17 years. "I'm having the time of my life," she said, going on to hint at a possible Broadway run for PHOTOGRAPH 51 by saying she wants to play the role "in another city" before acting the part on camera.

PHOTOGRAPH 51 reunites Kidman and Grandage following their recent collaboration on the upcoming film GENIUS.

Kidman is joined onstage by Will Attenborough (James Watson), Edward Bennett (Francis Crick), Stephen Campbell Moore (Maurice Wilkins), Patrick Kennedy (Don Caspar) and Joshua Silver (Ray Gosling). No word on whether they would reprise their roles for the film.

PHOTOGRAPH 51 runs at the Noel Coward Theatre through 21 November. The official description reads: "'The instant I saw the photograph my mouth fell open and my pulse began to race.' Does Rosalind Franklin know how precious her photograph is? In the race to unlock the secret of life it could be the one to hold the key. With rival scientists looking everywhere for the answer, who will be first to see it and more importantly, understand it? Anna Ziegler's extraordinary play looks at the woman who cracked DNA and asks what is sacrificed in the pursuit of science, love and a place in history."

Kidman's theatre work includes The Blue Room (Donmar Warehouse and Cort Theatre, Broadway - Evening Standard Award, Olivier Award nomination). For television, her work includes Hemingway & Gellhorn (Emmy nomination, Golden Globe nomination); and her extensive film work includes To Die For (Golden Globe for Best Actress), Days of Thunder, Moulin Rouge! (Academy Award nomination, Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Musical), The Others (Golden Globe nomination, Saturn Award), The Hours (Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe for Best Actress and Berlin Silver Bear), Cold Mountain, Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus, Stoker, Rabbit Hole (Golden Globe for Best Actress, Academy Award nomination), The Paperboy and Paddington. Upcoming films include Strangerland, Queen of the Desert, Genius, Lion and Secret in Their Eyes.

Photo Credit: Johan Persson