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Posted: Thu., Mar. 18, 2004, 9:00pm PT

Scarlett bets on 'Napoleon'

Lions Gate acquires pitch by thesp, scribe Kennedy

Scarlett Johansson

Johansson

"Lost in Translation" star Scarlett Johansson isn't done playing teens who bond with older men.

Lions Gate has acquired "Napoleon and Betsy," a pitch for a drama about the friendship between Napoleon Bonaparte and a young British girl.

Johansson pitched the tale with Rebecca B. Kennedy, the scribe who is scripting the tale. They're putting together a short list for Napoleon.

The project tells the story of the emperor's final years, as seen through the girl's eyes. Initially defiant and planning to escape, Bonaparte tries to enlist her in his fantasy to regrasp power, but eventually becomes resigned to his fate.

Lions Gate's Michael Burns and Mike Paseornek will oversee the pic, which will be produced by Melanie Johannson, Alexandra Milchan and Gilles Arondeau. Pic is on track to begin shooting in the fall.

Johansson is starring with Dennis Quaid in the Paul Weitz-directed "Synergy" at Universal. She then will star with Josh Hartnett and Mark Wahlberg in the Brian De Palma-directed adaptation of James Ellroy's book "The Black Dahlia," with "Napoleon" to follow.

Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

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