Madonna signs Abbie Cornish for her new film

The new film tells the story of the relationship between Britain's King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor - as Wally Winthrop, a woman who is obsessed with the Duchess of Windsor's life.

Madonna

Pop queen Madonna has roped in Aussie star Abbie Cornish to play the lead in her new film W.E.

The Material Girl's new film tells the story of the relationship between Britain's King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson, the Duchess of Windsor - as Wally Winthrop, a woman who is obsessed with the Duchess of Windsor's life.

The 4 Minutes hitmaker,who will be directing the film, had revealed that she wanted British star David Tennant to play the monarch, but is said to have changed her mind, reports contactmusic.com.

Madonna has previously directed 2008 film Filth and Wisdom, which starred Richard E. Grant and Eugene Hutz, although she has served as a writer on documentary I Am Because We Are.

The film's preliminary release date is 2011.