Roberts to play murdered Briton

Julia Roberts won an Oscar in 2001 for Erin Brockovich

Hollywood actress Julia Roberts has signed up to play the murdered British wildlife conservationist Joan Root.

Roberts, 39, will also produce the as-yet-untitled movie, which will begin filming in Africa next year.

It will follow Root's earlier life making award-winning wildlife documentaries, before she was shot in her bed by a gunman in Kenya last year.

Tim Bevan of Working Title films said the company was "delighted" that Roberts had agreed to be involved.

"We are thrilled to be making a film about such a courageous, adventurous and passionate woman," he added.

Joan Root helped make many celebrated wildlife films

At the time of the shooting police in Kenya investigated whether she was killed as a result of a botched robbery or assassinated by people objecting to her conservation work.

The announcement of the movie was made at the Cannes Film Festival, where it was also revealed that Daniel Craig will star in Flashbacks of a Fool.

The 007 star will play a washed-up British Hollywood actor.

British stars Helen McCrory, Olivia Williams and Emilia Fox will also appear in the film.