It had originally been announced that the film, which will feature Michael Fassbender as the titular Shakespearean antihero, had cast Natalie Portman as his wife and partner in crime. 

Cotillard's film work includes "La Vie en Rose," "Rust and Bone," "A Very Long Engagement," "My Sex Life... or How I Got Into an Argument," "Taxi," "Furia," "Love Me If You Dare," "Big Fish," "A Good Year," "Public Enemies," "Nine," "Inception," "Midnight in Paris," "Contagion" and "The Dark Knight Rises." 

The film, with a script by Todd Luiso and Jacob Koskoff, will be directed by Justin Kurzel and produced by "The King's Speech" and "Shame" producers See Saw.

Macbeth has been adapted for the screen several times. Roman Polanski directed a version in 1971, and Orson Welles directed and starred in a 1948 film. 

The Scottish Play has been popular recently. It was recently staged in London’s West End starring James McAvoy, who was nominated for an Olivier Award for his performance. Alan Cumming's solo interpretation of Macbeth finished its run at the Barrymore Theater July 14, and Lincoln Center Theater's upcoming revival, which stars Ethan Hawke, will open Nov. 21. Kenneth Branagh's adaptation, co-directed with Rob Ashford, will play the Park Avenue Armory in June 2014, and Punchdrunk's Sleep No More, inspired by Shakespeare's play, continues to run at the McKittrick Hotel.