In what has been billed as a Cast Away in Space movie role, Natalie Portman has been officially offered the lead role in Alfonso Cuaron’s Gravity.  Angelina Jolie is officially off the project which has led to the latest from Risky Business stating that the woman of choice at this moment is Portman.  The Black Swan star is the front-runner among many names that have been floated including Blake Lively and Scarlett Johansson.  Robert Downey Jr. is already locked in for the supporting role, so this would seem to be a huge opportunity for Natalie. About the film:

The $80 million 3D survival story, which Alfonso Cuaron will direct, centers on a woman stranded on a space station after satellite debris slams into it and wipes out the rest of the crew. Robert Downey Jr. already has committed to a supporting role, but much of the picture is devoted to the female character, who must survive a solitary ordeal much in the way Tom Hanks did in “Cast Away”

In my opinion it would be completely foolish for Portman to pass on this role given the cast, budget, and potential career exposure.  The only thing I could see derailing her would be the possibility that she feels the role is too challenging (which I highly suspect she won’t believe).  Too many nice pieces are in play that could make this a true breakout role for Portman, one that has seemingly long-eluded her.  Thoughts?