Jessica Chastain was scared about taking on Broadway role

Jessica Chastain almost turned down the chance to make her Broadway debut in upcoming play The Heiress because the thought of taking on Olivia De Havilland's Oscar-winning role "terrified" her.

The star, who earned an Academy Award nomination for her performance in The Help, will lead the cast of the stage revival as Catherine Sloper, a shy young woman yearning for her wealthy father's acceptance.

Her character was made most famous by Havilland in William Wyler's 1949 movie adaptation, and although Jessica Chastain could see herself in the role, she admits the idea of her filling the actress' shoes was incredibly daunting.

She tells Vanity Fair magazine, "(I thought), 'Maybe if you're afraid of it (the role), you should look more into it.' I had a connection to her (Sloper). She's painfully uncomfortable and I used to be that."

However, Chastain has been battling nerves ever since signing up for the job and she is struggling to decide on how best to portray the character ahead of rehearsals next month (Sep12).

She says, "I haven't been this unsure in a long time. I feel really, really terrified."