Julia Stiles to play Esther in The Bell Jar

The Bourne Identity star Julia Stiles is set to play Esther Greenwood in The Bell Jar, an adaptation of Sylvia Plath's widely-read and studied book.

Greenwood is a young reporter who suffers from depression, moving back to Boston after she attempts to make a name for herself in New York.

The novel is seen by many as a semi-autobiographical take on Plath's experiences, with the main character attempting suicide a number of times throughout the story.

Meanwhile, Stiles is currently filming The Bourne Ultimatum, the third in the spy series featuring Matt Damon as amnesiac spy Jason Bourne.

After shooting to fame in 10 Things I Hate About You in 1999, Julia starred in teen movies such as Down To You, Save The Last Dance and A Guy Thing, while last year saw her on the big screen in a remake of seminal horror film The Omen.

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