Madonna gives Abbie regal role

Madonna has signed Abbie Cornish for her new movie.

The Australian actress has agreed to appear in the 51-year-old singer’s forthcoming film ‘W.E’ – which 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 – who split from British film director husband Guy Ritchie in October 2008 - was originally planning to play the part of Wallis, but has since reconsidered and is now said to be in talks with ‘Up In The Air’ actress Vera Farmiga.

The ‘4 Minutes’ star – who will direct the movie – revealed next month that she wanted British star David Tennant to play the monarch, but is said to have changed her mind.

Madonna’s only other directing credit is 2008’s ‘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’.

‘W.E’ is still in pre-production and has a preliminary release date of 2011.