Scarlett Johansson 'to play Psycho star'

Scarlett Johansson is to play actress Janet Leigh in forthcoming film Alfred Hitchcock and the Making of Psycho, according to The Hollywood Reporter

The 27-year-old actress will take on the role of Leigh, best known for the chilling shower scene in the classic 1960 horror film.

Johansson will join Anthony Hopkins and Helen Mirren, who have already been cast as Hitchcock and his wife.

The film tells the story of the director's struggles to make Psycho.

Variety also reported that British actor James D'Arcy has been cast as Anthony Perkins, who played protagonist Norman Bates in the Hitchcock horror.

It will be directed by journalist and film-maker Sacha Gervasi, who directed 2008 rock-umentary Anvil! The Story of Anvil.

Based on the book by Stephen Rebello, the film tracks how Hitchcock - at the height of his fame - decided to make a horror movie.

Initially studios showed little interest, so Hitchcock raised the finance and independently produced the film himself on a budget of just $800,000 (£500,000).

The movie went on to become one of the most influential films of all time.