London, May 21 (IANS): Hollywood actress Rachel Weisz admits she's apprehensive about playing former US first lady Jackie Kennedy in a new film, because she's a Briton portraying an American icon.

The "Mummy" star will play the role of Jackie in husband Darren Aronofsky's new film on President John F. Kennedy's assassination in 1963, which will portray Jackie's life and how she coped with her husband's death.

And, although she said she can't wait to get started on research for the role, Weisz is also a little anxious about how America will accept her as Jackie.

"It's a recent project so the script is being developed and it's a great script. I will have to start to do some reading," express.co.uk quoted her as saying.

"Jackie Kennedy is American royalty and a 20th century icon, so it's extremely scary, daunting, challenging and a huge responsibility. I don't know exactly how I will play her yet because I haven't started really working on it, but of course it's a big responsibility," she said.