Naomi Watts Delays "Queen of the Desert" for Family Time

Naomi Watts has announced production on her new film, the Warner Herzog directed biopic "Queen of the Desert," will be delayed. The film revolves around the famous British travel author, archeologist and spy/attache Gertrude Bell, also known as the female Lawrence of Arabia. Robert Pattinson and Jude Law had both signed on to play principal roles.

It was only last August that Pattinson and Watts signed on to the project. Production was slated to begin in March 2013. Watts, however, is coming off the hullabaloo of a press junket for her Oscar-nominated "The Impossible" as well as the craziness of award season, which kicked off last week with the Golden Globes and will culminate in the Oscars on February 24. To say the least, it's been a busy time for the mother of two, who told E! "Hopefully, it will happen. I just can't travel again right now because I did a lot of traveling last year. It's been a big year and it's time for me to be home with the kids."

Pattinson had been cast as T. E. Lawrence, who became known as "Lawrence of Arabia" famous for organizing Arab resistance to the Turks in World War I. Jude Law had signed on to play Bell's love interest, British diplomat Henry Cardogan. We certainly hope it goes into production, as we'd love to see these three head to toe in white linen traipsing around the Eastern deserts!