The rights to Charlotte Rogan's debut historical novel have already been acquired by Working Title and Focus Features, the Hollywood Reporter said.
The story of the novel revolves around Grace Winter, who is standing trial for murder in 1914. The young woman is both a newlywed and a widow, and she recounts how she survived the sinking of the transatlantic ship Empress with the help of her new husband only to end up in a lifeboat.
The quandary, however, is that there are too many people in the boat and the survivors soon start talking about getting rid of certain people.
Hathaway will produce with Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner and Liza Chasin of Working Title, along with Film 360's Suzan Bymel and Ben Forkner.
The film is yet to find a director.
Hathaway won an Oscar for best supporting actress for her role of Fantine in 'Les Miserables'.