Scarlett Johansson joins Damon for Crowe's 'Zoo'

(AFP PHOTO/Robyn BECK)

Scarlett Johansson has signed on to play Matt Damon's wife in We Bought a Zoo, the new film directed by Cameron Crowe ( Almost Famous, Jerry Maguire), according to TheWrap.

Based on the memoir by Benjamin Mee, the story follows his family's move to the English countryside to renovate a rundown zoo of 200 animals, while he also cares for his dying wife.

Also recently cast, Colin Ford plays the couple's young son. The 14-year-old actor won the Young Artist Award for the television series Supernatural.

The screenplay is written by Aline Brosh McKenna ( The Devil Wears Prada) and Crowe. The film is scheduled for release on December 23, 2011.

Johansson will also star in the sci-fi drama Under the Skin, and will reprise her role as the Black Widow in Iron Man 2 and in Joss Whedon's The Avengers.

RC