Entertainment Weekly reported today that Natalie Portman (pictured, right, obviously) is attached to star in a thriller about a ballerina who’s competing against another ballerina—who just so happens to be a ghost! The film is called Black Swan.What’s got me so excited about this? THE DIRECTOR!

Darren Aronofsky hasn’t really made a lot of movies, but what he’s made had been effin’ sweet! Let’s run through the list, shall we?

Π — Maybe I didn’t enjoy this movie so much, but I was able to see that it was something fresh, and definitely different from other movies I’d seen up to that point.

Requiem for a Dream — Based on the novel by Hubert Selby, Aronofsky expertly recreates the world of Harry Goldfarb, Marion Silver, and Tyrone C. Love.  A simultaneously beautiful and haunting movie.

Below — I actually never heard of this! I may have to go and watch it now. Oh, wait, scratch that. He was writer/producer, not director. (or maybe I will, after reading a NYT review)

The Fountain — When I heard about this movie, I was “eh.” Then I read who directed it. Then I read that it was a time-travel type movie. I loved the hell out of it.

The Wrestler — Brady liked it. Nick liked it. I haven’t seen it yet. But I did see Marissa Tomei hangin’ out with some people when Brady invited me to a Ring of Honor show in Northeast Philly last year.

Also in the works for Aronofsky is a reboot of the RoboCop franchise. I’m always wary of reboots and remakes, as Hollywood is seeing more than her fair share of them—I mean, come on, Sorority Row???—but with this guy signed on as director, it can’t be all that bad. Hell, this could be as good or better than the Chris Nolan-Batman team-up!

Also exciting me about this movie is the star. I wouldn’t have taken note if the new Darren Aronofsky film was going to star Jennifer Garner or Megan Fox.

As far as I know, Portman’s first appearance was starring alongside Jean Reno in Léon, which came to the US as The Professional. After that it was such classic films as Beautiful Girls and Mars Attacks! before she finally made it big in the biggest flop of 2001,  Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace. It went uphill from there, with Closer, Garden State, V for Vendetta, and Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium. OK maybe not so uphill, but you get the idea. She’s an amazing actress and Black Swan sounds like it will be one hell of a film when it finally releases in theatres.

So you can count me in that line when the movie’s in town.