Jessica Biel has been cast as the lead in the Ealing Studios romantic comedy "Easy Virtue" says The Hollywood Reporter.

Based on the 1924 Noel Coward play, Biel plays an American divorcee Larita Huntington who travels to the South of France and marries young wealthy Englishman John Whittaker on the spur of the moment.

The couple return to England to face his unapproving family, including his parents played by Colin Firth and Kristin Scott Thomas. "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian" star Ben Barnes will play John.

Alfred Hitchcock first adapted the story in the 1928 silent movie "Easy Virtue." Stephan Elliott is directing the film from a screenplay he and Sheridan Jobbins penned.

Shooting starts next week in London.