Elizabeth Taylor is one of Hollywood’s biggest icons. After a 70-year career in show business, she is best known for her roles in Cleopatra, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf and The Taming of the Shrew. Outside of her career, the multiple Oscar-winning actor’s personal life was the subject of constant media attention. She also became a key activist in the fight against AIDS.

So, it comes as no surprise that Taylor’s rollercoaster life is now being portrayed in a new biopic. But who will play such a huge character?

Enter: Rachel Weisz.

Oscar-winner Weisz has been cast as Taylor in A Special Relationship, which will explore the star’s lengthy career.

According to Variety, the story will be told through the lens of Taylor’s friendship with her assistant Roger Wall. The screenplay is by Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire), and it will be directed by the female directing duo Bert&Bertie (Troop Zero). See-Saw Films’ Iain Canning and Emile Sherman (The King’s Speech) will produce the film.

Speaking about the casting, Canning and Sherman said: “There is no one more iconic than Elizabeth Taylor, and Simon Beaufoy has written a role that shines a light on Elizabeth’s humor and humanity, which will be beautifully brought to life through the extraordinary talents of Rachel Weisz.”

Weisz is a natural choice for the role, thanks to her many accolades for roles in The Favourite, The Constant Gardner and A Streetcar Named Desire. And, lest we forget, she was the star of 00s family favourites The Mummy and The Mummy Returns. 

Naturally, the internet has applauded the casting of Weisz for many reasons. 

Many fans have celebrated the fact that, like Taylor, Weisz champions LGBTQ+ rights.     

“Rachel Weisz playing Elizabeth Taylor in a film about Liz’s HIV/AIDS activism means we’ll get another full film promotional cycle of Rachel showing endless love for the gays and i, for one, love to see it,” wrote one Twitter user. 

“Rachel Weisz said gay rights and she meant it,” added another, referring to this iconic viral video of 2019. 

“Rachel Weisz as Elizabeth Taylor is gay rights!” echoed a third. 

Others are just generally excited about their favourite actor taking on such an iconic role. 

“Rachel Weisz playing Elizabeth Taylor is now my sole interest, bye” shared another fan.

“There is nothing Rachel Weisz can’t do. Full stop,” tweeted a fan. 

And, alongside a GIF of Weisz in The Mummy, another simply said: “Rachel Weisz appreciation tweet. 

We’ll probably have to wait a while for the film’s release, but we’ll keep you updated on here with the details.

Until then, a marathon run of The Mummy series is surely in order?

Images: Getty