Rachel Weisz is in talks to star in The Favourite alongside Emma Stone and Olivia Colman, Digital Spy reports.

If she signs up, the actress would be reunited with Greek director Yorgos Lanthimos on the project, the pair having worked together on science fiction comedy The Lobster.

The royal drama will look behind the scenes of the 18th-century reign of Queen Anne.

As Deadline reports, Weisz would be taking on the role of Queen Anne's confidante Sarah, which was originally intended for Kate Winslet.

Elsewhere, BAFTA-winning Broadchurch star Colman will play the last monarch of the House of Stuarts, while Winslet will play Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, a close confidante of the Queen.

Stone is closing in on the role of Abigail Masham, a distant relative of Sarah who is introduced to the Queen's court.

Deborah Davis and Tony McNamara have written the script for the movie, which will focus on the shifting balance of power and how each character tries to influence Colman's Anne.

The story will cross from the 17th century to the 18th, and encompass the queen's reign from 1702 to 1707.