The Hollywood Reporter reports that Elizabeth Banks will play First Lady Laura Bush in Oliver Stone's "W," a film based on the life of President George W. Bush. Josh Brolin has been cast to portray the United States president.

Shooting begins in late April in Shreveport, La.

Stone wrote the screenplay with his "Wall Street" co-writer Stanley Weiser. Moritz Borman ("World Trade Center," "Alexander") is producing with Jon Kilik.