Natalie Portman has dropped out of the adaptation of Emily Bronte's gothic romance "Wuthering Heights." Her sudden departure spells trouble for the production, which was planning to woo buyers at this year's Cannes Film Festival. Portman was set to play the "Heights" heroine, Cathy Earnshaw, before she checked her day planner and saw that she just had WAY too much going on to make this movie – specifically an as yet un-named project. Translation: something suddenly came up that looked better.

The film, produced by Ecosse films, is still set to begin filming this fall with director John Maybury. Financier HanWay Films is hoping to find a quick replacement for Portman – with a special interest in actresses that were born with British accents. Keira Knightley – come on down. You like those period movies, right?

Hope that Portman's new project is breaking up with Devandra Banhart here.