Woody Allen replaces Nicole Kidman for new film

Woody Allen has cast relative unknown Lucy Punch in his latest, as-yet-untitled film.

The actress, who is best known for her role in TV series The Class and Ella Enchanted and Hot Fuzz on the big screen, will take on the role originally given to Nicole Kidman, who dropped out of the project due to scheduling conflicts.

She will join a cast made up of Antonio Banderas, Freida Pinto, Naomi Watts, Josh Brolin and Anthony Hopkins after wowing Allen at a screen test.

The film is reportedly due to start production in the UK this summer.

Kidman is committed to producing and starring in Rabbit Hole, a big-screen version of David Lindsay-Abaire's Broadway play of the same name, which also begins shooting this summer, but in the US.

Punch can next be seen starring in Young Americans alongside Anna Faris and Michelle Trachtenberg and A Good Old Fashioned Orgy with Leslie Bibb and Martin Starr.