Juno star Page to play Jane Eyre

Ellen Page received an Oscar nomination for her role in Juno

Juno star Ellen Page has signed up to play Jane Eyre in a new adaptation of the Charlotte Bronte novel.

The role would mark the first period piece for Page, who has agreed to be in several contemporary films since her Oscar-nominated performance in Juno.

BBC Films has said it will be developing the production, although a director has yet to be named.

The 1847 novel tells the epic love story of a governess and her master, Edward Rochester.

It is among the most filmed English novels of all-time, with more than a dozen productions reaching the big and small screens, including BBC-produced mini-series in 1973 and 2006.

The last film adaptation was in 1996 and was directed by Franco Zeffirelli, which starred Charlotte Gainsbourg as the adult Jane.

Over the years, actresses ranging from Joan Fontaine to Susannah York also have played the title character.