Portman offered 'Gravity' lead (BIZ)

By Nancy Tartaglione

Natalie Portman has reportedly been offered the lead in the Warner Bros. drama "Gravity," which Angelina Jolie recently ankled. According to The Risky Business blog, Portman's strong notices in Darren Aronofsky's "Black Swan" paved the way for "Gravity" director Alfonso Cuaron to relay an offer to the actress without requiring a screen test. Portman is expected to read the latest version of the script this week and make her decision shortly, says BIZ.

Per BIZ, the survival story, co-written by Alfonso and Jonas Cuaron, is an $80 million 3D project about a woman stranded on a space station after satellite debris slams into it and wipes out the rest of the crew.

Robert Downey Jr. is in for a supporting role.

Cuaron, Downey and the studio have juggled multiple potential stars, including Scarlett Johansson and Blake Lively, says BIZ, but the role now is Portman's if she feels up for it.

Meanwhile, rumors in Telluride say that based solely on "Swan" reviews during the previous few days, Terrence Malick wants Portman for a Jerry Lee Lewis-related project he's developing with Brad Pitt. Tom Stoppard is also apparently is writing something for her, says BIZ.