Rachel Weisz is to star in new thriller film 'Snatchback'.

The 45-year-old star, who's married to British actor Daniel Craig, is to appear in the Pete Travis-directed movie about the world of illegal child recovery.

Weisz has been cast in the role of Mo, whose daughter was abducted by the father when she was just three years old.

Mike Goodridge - the Chief Executive of Protagonist, which is launching the project to buyers in Cannes, France, said Weisz is the perfect ''gifted'' actress for the role.

He said: ''As told by Pete Travis in his riveting script, Mo's story is powerful and exciting, but at its heart are deep maternal emotions that anyone in the world can relate to.

''It's a powerhouse role and only an actress as gifted as Rachel could play it.''

The movie is inspired by Maureen Dabbagh, a woman from Virginia whose ex-husband stole their young daughter and took her to the Middle East in 1992.

Maureen spent more than a decade looking for her child before she was finally reunited with her.

'Snatchback' will be filmed later this year, though a release date is still to be set.