According to Variety, Hilary Swank will play a femme fatale in The Black Dahlia, the Brian De Palma-directed adaptation of the James Ellroy novel.

Swank, who was nominated for two Golden Globes on Tuesday (for Million Dollar Baby and HBO's "Iron Jawed Angels"), joins Josh Hartnett and Scarlett Johansson in the drama.

Shooting starts April 4th in Bulgaria, with Art Linson, Moshe Diamant, Rudy Cohen and Lerner producing.

While Swank came to prominence playing boyish roles in Boys Don't Cry and the upcoming Million Dollar Baby, De Palma wants her to lead with her looks this time.

The Black Dahlia revolves around two boxers-turned-cops investigating the brutal murder of Elizabeth Short, a crime that rocked 1940s Los Angeles. Swank's character is a dead ringer for the victim who became known as the Black Dahlia and proves a dangerous seductress to the cops.

"This has shaped up to be a strong young cast with material and themes that play to Brian's strengths," said Linson, who last worked with De Palma on The Untouchables.

The Black Dahlia was released September 15th, 2006 and stars Josh Hartnett, Scarlett Johansson, Aaron Eckhart, Hilary Swank, Mia Kirshner, Mike Starr, Fiona Shaw, Patrick Fischler. The film is directed by Brian De Palma.