A New Zealand teenager may end up playing opposite Hollywood leading man Colin Farrell in a new take on the story of Pocahontas.
While rising star Farrell - an Irish actor with a reputation as a hell raiser - will play explorer John Smith in The New World, therole of his love interest Pocahontas is yet to be cast, and could go to a Pacific Island woman.
Christina Asher, of Auckland's Asher Casting, sent out an email this week seeking a "beautiful young dusky maiden" aged between 16 and 19.
The flexible Kiwi accent could prove crucial in winning the role in the movie about the clash of cultures between European explorers and native American tribes.
According to legend, Pocahontas, a princess of the Algonquian tribe, saved Smith's life as he was about to be clubbed to death, and the two became friends.
The film is set to be a Hollywood blockbuster, directed by Terrence Malick, whose last movie was the World War II epic The Thin Red Line.
"The film is set in 1607 in Jamestown America when everyone spoke English with an English accent and people were slim and physically athletic from having to chase down their food," Asher's email said.
But why cast a Native American in New Zealand?
"Well, it seems we speak a reasonable English accent, whereas Americans have difficulties."
In the email, obtained by the Herald, Asher suggests that teenagers with the looks of Miriama Smith or Shavaughn Ruakere could be in with a chance.
Smith has starred in local shows Mataku, Mercy Peak and Shortland Street.
Ruakere is a former What Now? presenter.
The cut-off date for applications is today, but Ms Asher said yesterday that if news of the casting went public she would have to cancel auditions.
She said the US producers wished to keep the casting quiet because it was customary not to go public until contracts had been drawn up.
