South African actress in Ron Howard film

A new Ron Howard film, scheduled for release in early 2013, stars South African born Vanessa Zachos, acting opposite Chris Hemsworth (Thor and Avengers). The film, Rush, a Peter Morgan screenplay, recounts the 1976 rivalry between British Formula 1 driver James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) and Austrian champion Niki Lauda played by Daniel Bruhl (Inglourious Basterds) just weeks after the crash that almost claimed Lauda's life. The film is shooting on location in the UK, Germany and Austria. Zachos moved to the UK to study acting and recently starred in an independent British art house film. The film, produced by Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Cross Creek's Brian Oliver and Working Title's Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, also stars Olivia Wilde (TRON: Legacy) and Alexandra Maria Lara (The Reader).