Dame Judi Dench in talks to join cast of 'Jane Eyre'

Jamie Bell, Judi Dench, Sally Hawkins and Imogen Poots are in negotiations to join the cast of "Jane Eyre," an adaptation of the classic Charlotte Bronte novel.

Cary Fukunaga ("Sin Nombre") is directing for BBC Films and Focus Features.

Mia Wasikowska and Michael Fassbender are at the center of the Gothic tale, which follows young governess Jane Eyre (Wasikowska), who falls in love with her employer, Edward Rochester (Fassbender), but discovers he harbors a dark secret.

Bell will play St. John, a clergyman who turns out to be Eyre's cousin. Dench will play Mrs. Fairfax, the housekeeper of Thornfield Manor, who disapproves of Eyre's relationship with Rochester.

Hawkins is cast as Mrs. Reed, Eyre's aunt, who adopts her but abuses and neglects her.

Bell next stars in the Roman adventure "The Eagle of the Ninth." Dench was last seen in "Nine," while Hawkins last appeared in "An Education" and has three films in the can: "It's a Wonderful Afterlife," "Never Let Me Go" and "We Want Sex." Poots appeared in "Me & Orson Welles" and "28 Weeks Later."

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