Things didn’t work out so well for Scarlett Johansson in the action genre, so she’s stepping back into period work. She’ll do it by teaming up with Colin Farrell to turn suburban teenagers into dogs (or something like that) in the movie Borgia.

The Borgias were the most powerful family in Rome around the 15th Century. They were also blamed for the curse which turned Wilby Daniels into a sheepdog in the Disney movie The Shaggy Dog. That probably won’t play a role in this take on the power-hungry Italians.

Variety says Borgia, written and directed by Neil Jordaon, is about the powerful Borgia clan’s rise to prominence. The story will focus on Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia’s bid to become Pope in 1492 and subsequent power consolidation once he takes over the papacy. Jordan’s script is described as being filled with vicious betrayal and murder. Think of it as a medieval version of “Dallas”.

When production starts in April Colin Farrell will play Rodrigo Borgia’s youngest son Cesare, close confidant of Scarlett’s torn character, the famous Lucrezia Borgia.