Golden Globe and Emmy winner Danny DeVito told the Irish Independent that he is searching for a talented young Irish actress to play the lead in his upcoming film 'The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle.’

DeVito explained that he originally had Saoirse Ronan in the lead spot, but Ronan has since aged out and is too old to play the 13-year-old lead character.

"Saoirse was always my pick but now she's a woman, I'm back to square one, and on the search for a new Charlotte Doyle,” said DeVito.

"It's tough because I'm a year away from filming, and I have to find a young actress with the same kind of talent as Saoirse," DeVito told the Irish Independent.

For the film, the young Irish actress will have to share the same acting ability as Saoirse Ronan, who was nominated for an Oscar for her role in ‘Atonement’ in 2008 when she was only 14 years old. Further, established actors Pierce Brosnan and Morgan Freeman are reportedly signed on for the movie.

Speaking about the film adaptation of ‘The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle,’ DeVito said to RTE, "This is a really good book. It's a very radical book and it's about a thirteen-year-old girl who takes charge, so that's what I like.”

DeVito was in Dublin this week where he was honored at the Jameson Film Festival with the VOLTA achievement award. As part of the Festival, DeVito’s 1997 cult classic ‘LA Confidential’ had a screening and question and answer session hosted at Mansion House.