Swank to hit celebrity skies

Oscar winner Hilary Swank is set to become the latest celebrity high-flier as part of her research into early aviator Amelia Earhart.

The actress will play the historical figure in a biopic that starts shooting in late February, and she's planning flying lessons in the new year.

Swank says: "She's very much an inspiration. I am looking forward to playing her. I am going to take flying lessons, which is so exciting."

But the production could fail to get off the ground if the Hollywood writers' strike isn't over.

Swank adds: "We are not filming until late February. So while I am doing my preparation of breaking down Amelia, and figuring out show she is, I pray the strike will have been resolved by then."