Keira Knightley will not star in My Fair Lady

Keira Knightley- Celebrity News - Marie Claire

(Image credit: Rex Features)

published 15 January 2010

The Hollywood star has withdrawn from the running to star in the famous film’s remake

The queen of costume drama Keira Knightley has taken herself out of the running to play Eliza Doolittle in Fair Lady.

After waiting almost two years for the movie to begin production, the English rose actress has decided pull out of the race.

Insiders say the lovely Ms Knightley first auditioned for the role of Eliza In 2007, as producers were planning a much talked about remake of the 1962 musical.

In fact Keira was so keen to star in the film she was even said to have taken singing lessons in the hope of reprising the part made famous by Audrey Hepburn.

‘I auditioned for it about two years ago, and I think it's been a matter of trying to assemble the correct team to do it that is going to make as interesting a movie and as good a movie as possible,' she said last year of the role.

‘There are good whispers going around, you know, and hopefully they'll come to fruition.'

But it seems it was not to be. Although Keira had was never officially offered the part, she has now taken herself out of the running completely.

So bosses now face the hard task of finding someone to fill Keira's shoes.

But they might not have to look too far. Hot new actress Carey Mulligan - who is up for Best Actress at the Golden Globes this weekend - is now tipped to take the part.