Summit Entertainment has acquired domestic distribution rights to the romantic drama Adaline.

Starring Katherine Heigl and directed by Andy Tennant from a script by J. Mills Goodloe, Salvador Paskowitz and Allison Burnett, Adaline is a turn-of-the-20th-century tale of a strangely ageless young woman who falls in love after years of isolation.

Set for release in early 2012, Adaline will begin lensing in March, with Sidney Kimmel and Jim Tauber producing. Steve Golin and Alix Madigan also will produce through Anonymous Content; Heigl and Nancy Heigl will exec produce via their Abishag.

Summit chief Rob Friedman called the pic “a fantastic story that we believe will resonate with the American audience.”

Lakeshore International and Sierra Pictures are representing worldwide rights to the film.