Anne Hathaway to produce and star in The Lifeboat

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Anne Hathaway to produce and star in The Lifeboat

Anne Hathaway is to produce and star in the big screen adaptation of 'The Lifeboat'.

The 'Les Miserables' actress has landed a role in the film version of Charlotte Rogan's novel of the same name after the rights to the tome were jointly acquired by Working Title and Focus Features.

The novel tells the story of Grace Winter, a newlywed and a widow, who is standing on trial for murder in 1914 after surviving the sinking of the transatlantic ship the Empress.

Grace manages to squeeze herself into a spot on a lifeboat following as the ship is sinking, but disaster strikes when survivors begin to talk about removing some passengers from the overcrowded lifeboat.

Grace is faced with a trial upon her return, questioning how she managed to survive at sea for three weeks and return apparently unscathed.

Rogan got the inspiration for the novel from legal cases in the 19th century which saw the survivors of shipwrecks tried for their actions at sea.

Anne, who won an Oscar for her role in 'Les Mis', will be co-producing the film along with producers from Working Title and Film 360.

William Broyles Jr, whose credits include 'Apollo 13' and 'Castaway', is writing the script for the film and will also take the role of executive producer.