Ben Whishaw is set to become the lead in writer-director Jane Campion's period romance drama, Bright Star for Pathe International.

He will play poet John Keats in the film that focuses on the three-year romance between 19th century poet Keats and Fanny Brawne, to be played by Abbie Cornish. The poet's romance was cut short by Keats' untimely death at age 25, notes The Hollywood Reporter.

Bright Star is scheduled to begin filming in late summer or early fall.