Shohreh Aghdashloo is in final negotiations to join Keisha Castle-Hughes in "Nativity," New Line Cinema's look at the life of the Virgin Mary before the birth of Christ says The Hollywood Reporter.

Catherine Hardwicke is directing the movie which follows Mary and Joseph's life before Christ as their love, faith and beliefs are tested. The Mike Rich script incorporates their departure from Nazareth and travel to Bethlehem and includes such biblical figures as King Herod and the three wise men from the East.

Castle-Hughes already is cast as Mary, and Aghdashloo would play Elizabeth, her sister. Elizabeth, too, is visited by an angel and becomes pregnant with the child that will grow up to be John the Baptist.