Stiles Sues After Losing Sylvia Role

Actress Julia Stiles is suing her former production partners for allegedly conspiring to rob her of a role in a film adaptation of SYLVIA PLATH's THE BELL JAR.

The MONA LISA SMILE star had hoped the role of ESTHER GREENWOOD - the fictionalised Plath in the story - would land her her first OSCAR nomination, and propel her to the ranks of other serious actresses.

But she lost the part, and now claims her dreams of co-producing and starring in the project were dashed when her film partners sealed a secret deal and conspired with the film's director to "fire Ms Stiles and hire another actress to play the lead role".

Meanwhile, Stiles is preparing to graduate from New York's Columbia University, where she has been studying English literature, this May (05).