"Bees" keep a sweet role for Bettany

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Paul Bettany has joined the cast of "The Secret Life of Bees," a drama based on the novel by Sue Monk Kidd.

Bettany ("A Beautiful Mind," "The Da Vinci Code") will play the widowed father of the film's 14-year-old central character, Lily Owens. Dakota Fanning is in negotiations to play Lily.

Set in the 1960s South, "Bees" revolves around Lily and her friend Rosaleen (Jennifer Hudson), who flee their small town to escape their harsh upbringing and uncover the mysteries of Lily's late mother. Along the way, they are taken in by three sisters (Queen Latifah, Sophie Okonedo, Alicia Keys) who teach them the art of beekeeping.

Gina Prince-Bythewood is directing the Fox Searchlight film, which begins shooting this week in North Carolina.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter