Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Reynolds are set to star in Big Eyes. The pair have signed up to play artists Margaret and Walter Keane - who became famous in the 1950s and 60s after their paintings of large-eyed kids were one of the first mass marketed art sensations at the time - in a film that will be produced by Tim Burton.

Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski have written the script for the motion picture - which is set to start filming this spring - years after having an idea for the project, Deadline reports. "We are ecstatic to have this dream cast for our dream project. Walter is a larger-than-life antihero - charming, funny, dangerous, and a little crazy. Ryan will knock it out of the park. As for Reese, she will be perfect as Margaret - soulful, decent, transforming from vulnerability to learning to fight for herself," they said in a statement.

When Margaret and Walter split they ended up in court as she tried to get her share of the credit after he had claimed to be the genius behind the work. They were given an easel each and told to prove themselves which resulted in Margaret's ability being clear to see.

Ed Wood is set to direct the movie, while Lynette Howell and Jamie Patricof will assist Tim in producing through their new company Electric City Entertainment.