Marion Cotillard As Lady Macbeth: Oscar Winner Replaces Natalie Portman In Coveted Role

"Out, damned spot! Out, I say!" That's what we'd like to think Natalie Portman said of her role as Lady Macbeth before she dropped the project.

Now it's another Oscar-winning actress' turn to delve into the depths of 11th-century Scotland. Marion Cotillard will instead take on the evil Shakespeare mastermind , often seen as one of the meatiest roles written for a woman, in the upcoming adaptation of "Macbeth," according to Deadline.com.

There's no word as to why Portman bowed out of the movie, which is still set to star Michael Fassbender as the titular king-to-be. When news first broke of the "Black Swan" star's casting, Portman said she'd been pining to play Lady Macbeth for ages and had considered taking on a stage production of the tragedy. The decision may come because of the demands of Portman's directorial debut, "Tale of Love & Darkness," which, like "Macbeth," is expected to begin shooting in January 2014. HuffPost Entertainment reached out to Portman's reps to inquire about the actress' reason for leaving the project but has not yet heard back.

"Macbeth" will be shepherded by Iain Canning and Emile Sherman, the producers behind "The King's Speech" and "Shame." Justin Kurzel ("Snowtown") will direct.

Will the part of Lady Macbeth find Cotillard gracing the Oscar stage once again? Sound off on your thoughts about the casting switchup in the comments section below.

[via Deadline.com ]