'Most beautiful woman' role daunting - Beckinsale

Actress Kate Beckinsale said today she was daunted by the task of playing film legend Ava Gardner in her forthcoming movie The Aviator.

The Pearl Harbour star appears alongside Leonardo DiCaprio in the film which is due for release in the Autumn.

It follows the early years of Hollywood mogul and playboy tycoon Howard Hughes.

“It was a little bit intimidating,” said 30-year-old Beckinsale of her latest role.

“On every page of the script she is described as the most beautiful woman in the world,” she told USA Today.

The movie, directed by Martin Scorsese, also stars Jude Law as Errol Flynn and Cate Blanchett as Katharine Hepburn.

Gardner was pursued by Hughes but went on to marry Frank Sinatra.