Jessica Biel, Luke Evans joining "Vivaldi" film

LOS ANGELES  - Jessica Biel and rising British actor Luke Evans are in final negotiations to star in "Vivaldi," a period tale of forbidden romance.

The project centers on composer, priest and violin virtuoso Antonio Vivaldi and his protégée, singer Anna Tessieri Giro, leading him to write his enduring masterpiece "The Four Seasons." Giro was Vivaldi's favorite prima donna and part of his entourage. Vivaldi denied any romantic relationship, and most modern scholars believe that to be true.

Patricia Riggen, who directed the Mexican immigration film "Under the Same Moon," will take the helm. The project will be pitched to buyers at the Cannes Film Festival this week.

Biel most recently appeared in the ensemble romantic comedy "Valentine's Day," and next co-stars in the summer action tentpole "The A-Team." Evans played Apollo in "Clash of the Titans," and is cast as Zeus in Tarsem Singh's Greek epic "Immortals."