Natalie Portman is returning from maternity leave with roles in two new Terrence Malick films.

Deadline reports that the Oscar-winning Black Swan star, who announced the birth of baby boy Aleph last June, has joined the casts of Knight Of The Cups and Lawless.

The mum-of-one will apparently join Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett and Isabel Lucas in Knight Of The Cups when filming begins this summer.

In autumn she'll work with Christian and Cate again in Lawless, which also stars man-of-the-moment Ryan Gosling, best actress Oscar nominee Rooney Mara and Haley Bennett.

It will be the first time Thor star Natalie has worked with acclaimed director Terrence, whose last film, The Tree Of Life, is up for best picture and best director gongs at the Oscars.