Ashley Judd and Patrick Wilson are to star in a movie adaptation of Big Stone Gap, Digital Spy said.

Whoopi Goldberg has also signed up to feature in the upcoming film version of Adriana Trigiani's series of romance novels.

Donna Gigliotti (Shakespeare in Love), James Spies (The Contender) and JE Craig will produce the project, reports Variety.

Production begins on October 19 in Trigiani's hometown of Big Stone Gap in western Virginia. Trigiani will also make her directorial debut with her own screenplay.

Trigiani's novel was published in 2001, and has since been followed by the sequels Big Cherry Holler, Milk Glass Moon and Home to Big Stone Gap.

The story follows a middle-aged spinster named Ave Maria Mulligan who goes on a personal journey surrounded by the unique people of a small Virginia coal town.

Judd will portray Ave Maria Mulligan, while Wilson will play the character of Jack McChesney.