The `Contagion` actress has spoken several times with David Hare about him directing her in a play called `Skylight` opposite Bill Nighy and, following three months of negotiations, is now looking to clear her schedule to appear in the production.

A source said: "She`s in love with the play and would very much like to do it."

However, it is claimed there are some "obstacles of a private nature" that could prevent the actress - who has two children, Mia, 11, and eight-year-old Joe, from her two marriages - from taking part as well as reorganising her professional commitments.

The source added to the Daily Mail newspaper: "It may change, and the way is clear for her to do `Skylight`, bu there`s no 100 per cent guarantee."

It has not yet been decided whether the play will be staged in London`s West End or Broadway in New York.

`Skylight` - which originally featured Michael Gambon and Lia Williams and won a string of awards - tells the story of a famous restauranteur who meets a former mistress with whom he had had an affair while his wife was still alive.

He finds his ex-lover is living in self-imposed exile to atone for their illicit relationship.
sections: Celebrities