Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper to star in `Serena`

Los Angeles: Actors Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence are reportedly playing the lead roles in a big screen adaptation of Ron Rash`s acclaimed period novel `Serena`. The story is set in the rugged mountains of 1929 North Carolina. It centers on a man named George Pemberton and his new bride, Serena, as they build a timber empire, Ace Showbiz reported. Before Lawrence, 21, signed on to the movie, Angelina Jolie was originally tapped to star in it with `Black Swan` helmer Darren Aronofsky serving behind the lens. Since Jolie and Aronofsky bailed out of the project, Susan Bier, the director of Oscar-winning drama `In a Better World`, takes over the helming duty. PTI