The Oscar-nominated actress will play Cora in the £3 million comedy Women Talking Dirty, based on the novel by Isla Dewar.

The story revolves around an unlikely friendship between single mum Cora and career girl Ellen in Edinburgh.

The film's co-producer David Furnish said: "Cora is a very gregarious, free-spirited, free-thinking woman, but she has an unfortunate habit of getting herself into trouble and having to go back and make things right.

"Ellen, by contrast, is very thoughtful, but a plodder who has difficulty making up her mind."

He said the friendship between the two women was severely tested but refused to give away any details.

"It's very funny, fresh and modern, and every woman that reads the script really seems to identify with it," he added.

Sir Elton: 'Thrilled to have Helena on board'

Sir Elton set up Rocket Films with Furnish who shot the revealing documentary, Tantrums And Tiaras about him.

Polly Steele will co-produce the new feature and will be directed by Coky Giedroyc who made Stella Does Tricks.

Sir Elton said: "I am absolutely thrilled to have Helena on board.

"She is an actress of exceptional talent and will do a wonderful job playing Cora."

Bonham-Carter was nominated for the Oscar for best actress for her role in The Wings Of The Dove earlier this year but lost out to Helen Hunt.

She has been working on Hollywood thriller Fight Club, in which she plays Brad Pitt's drug addict lover - a part she calls her first girlfriend role.

Women Talking Dirty starts shooting in Edinburgh in March next year.