Biel: Miles was a modern woman

Jessica Biel has hailed Psycho star Vera Miles as ahead of her time for wanting to be an actress and a mother.

The Total Recall star plays the Hitchcock blonde in a new biopic about the great British film director, starring Sir Anthony Hopkins. Vera starred as the sister of Janet Leigh's character in Psycho, but was dropped by Hitchcock from his film Vertigo after becoming pregnant.

Jessica said: "The more I got to know her more I found out that she was quite a modern woman. As much as she was a very career-driven person, and a very independent thinker; and a very serious dramatist, she was also someone who wanted a family and wanted a personal life and wasn't interested in being a 'star' - she was interested in being an artist."

The actress - who recently became engaged to long-term boyfriend Justin Timberlake - admitted she related to Vera.

Jessica said: "She was just ahead of her time. She was like 'Yeah, I think I can do it all actually, so thanks, I will.'"

The A-Team star said making the film had been an "amazing" experience, especially getting to play a real person.

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