Ellen Burstyn to star in Noah Hawley's astronaut drama

Veteran actor Ellen Burstyn has joined the cast of Noah Hawley's upcoming astronaut drama, which features Natalie Portman and Jon Hamm in the lead.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, Burstyn will play Portman's characters grandmother in the Fox Searchlight project.

Dan Stevens is also on board to star in the film.

Hawley is directing from a script by Brian C Brown and Elliott DiGuiseppi. Reese Witherspoon, who was attached to star at one point, will produce with Bruna Papandrea.

The still-untitled project revolves around a female astronaut who, after coming back home from a mission in space, starts to unravel when confronted by her seemingly-perfect life.

The film focuses on the theory that astronauts who spend long periods of time in space lose their sense of reality when they return home.

Hamm will play Portman's fellow astronaut who she aggressively pursues after returning to Earth.