Natalie Portman turns down role in Steve Jobs biopic

After entering negotiations just before Thanksgiving, Natalie Portman has declined the offer to play the female lead in Danny Boyle’s movie, Variety announced.

The film had already suffered a series of setbacks after both Leonardo Di Caprio and Christian Bale turn down the main role. The biopic was also picked up by Universal after being dropped by Sony.

Variety does not mention any particular reasons for Portman's decision but confirms that other stars stand in line to replace her -- Jessica Chastain had been linked to the biopic for a while.

Production is still expected to start in the spring, with Michael Fassbender to play Steve Jobs and Seth Rogen reportedly portraying Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. The movie penned by Aaron Sorkin ("The Social Network") adapts Walter Isaacson's biography of the Apple co-founder.