It seems just like yesterday when none of us knew who Mia Wasikowska was; now, she’s practically a household name, thanks to her roles in Alice in Wonderland and Jane Eyre. The 22-year-old actress is going back to the 1800′s for her next project, as Variety reports she’s been given the lead in Occupant Entertainment’s adaptation of Madame Bovary.

Adapted from Gustave Flaubert‘s famous novel of the same name, Rose Barreneche has written the screenplay, with Sophie Barthes (Cold Souls) directing the period piece. Wasikowska will play the titular character of Emma Bovary, “the beautiful wife of a small-town doctor who she married to escape her father’s pig farm. She constantly tries to climb the social ladder by engaging in extra-marital affairs.”

Paul Giamatti has also been attached to play Monsieur Homais, “the town apothecary who is a close confidant of her husband Charles and threatens to reveal the protag’s steamy indiscretions.” Similar to various adaptations of classic works currently in production — the upcoming Romeo and Juliet comes to mind — the story will remain faithful to Flaubert‘s novel, but is, nevertheless, a “fresh retelling” of the novel, “emphasizing a more youthful and contemporary” theme.

I think Wasikowska is a really great fit for the part — not only because she has experience with a period piece, but because she’s also, most importantly, a wonderful actress. We loved Jane Eyre, too, so I’m looking forward to seeing what she brings to the character of Madam Bovary. Joe Neutrauter and Felipe Marino will produce the drama, with production starting this fall in Europe.

Do you think Wasikowska is a good fit for Madame Bovary?