Natalie Portman Replaces Reese Witherspoon In 'Pale Blue Dot'

Two years ago, Reese Witherspoon was ready to blast off into outer space with “Pale Blue Dot.” Development moved very slowly on the project, which was set up at Fox Searchlight, with “Fargo” and “Legion” creator Noah Hawley only signing up to direct last year. Well, there’s been a major change in the galaxy.

Variety reports that Natalie Portman — fresh off dropping hot, gender awareness fire at the Golden Globes — will take the lead in the film. Penned by Brian C. Brown and Elliott DiGuiseppi, the story follows an astronaut who returns home after a long mission in space, and starts to break down when plunked back into her perfect American life.

Witherspoon had to back out due to scheduling conflicts with the second season of “Big Little Lies,” with this “Pale Blue Dot” also aiming to get rolling in the spring. It’s going to be mean a helluva busy year ahead for Hawley, who is also preparing the next instalment of “Fargo” to hit FX in 2019. A television show and movie, and that’s not to mention Hawley’s ongoing work with “Legion” — frankly, it makes us feel like we could using our time a little more productively.