Hathaway shocked she's playing Austen

The Princess Diaries star Anne Hathaway is terrified she's going to disappoint Jane Austen fans when she plays the Pride And Prejudice author in a new biopic, because she's not elegant and refined.

The actress is filming Becoming Jane in Ireland and is still shocked she has landed the role she believes is perfect for English actress Kate Winslet.

She explains: "I'm even horrified that I'm playing Jane Austen! I'm like: 'Really? Me? Kate Winslet isn't available?'

"Jane Austen's been one of my favourite authors since I was 14 years old and I've always kind of felt a connection to her, so I couldn't be more thrilled, and I'm sure I couldn't have disappointed more people."

Sense and Sensibility director Ang Lee has assured Hathaway she is perfect for the part and even taught her how to curtsy.

But Four Weddings And A Funeral actress Anna Chancellor, who is a direct descendant of Austen, criticised Hathaway's casting earlier this year.

She said, "In my mind Anne Hathaway is just too pretty to play her. Jane was a very plain woman. Her beauty was in her brain. But that's what Hollywood does."