Natalie Portman and Jenna Ortega are in negotiations to star in The Gallerist, directed by Cathy Yan, who co-wrote the script with James Pedersen. If finalised, the project would pair Oscar-winner Portman with Ortega, one of Hollywood’s brightest rising talents.

The story centres on a desperate gallerist who schemes to sell a deceased man at Art Basel Miami. Portman, along with Sophie Mas, will produce the film through their MountainA banner, joined by producers Jonathan King, Ash Sarohia, Tom McCarthy, Rae Baron, Sophie Mas, and Zola Elgart Glassman.

Portman’s latest work includes her Golden Globe-nominated performance in Netflix’s May December. She recently completed filming Fountain of Youth, an adventure project for Apple and Skydance.

Ortega, fresh off the worldwide box office success of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which surpassed $400 million, is preparing to film Season 2 of Netflix’s Wednesday and has a top-secret J.J. Abrams project lined up for next year.

Cathy Yan, known for her work on Dead Pigs and Birds of Prey, recently directed an episode in the final season of HBO’s Emmy-winning drama Succession.