The Edge of Tomorrow star is set to play the lead in the upcoming adaptation of Paula Hawkins' novel, but fans of the thriller were furious when it was revealed the film will be shot in New York City.

However, Blunt has now revealed protagonist Rachel, a divorced alcoholic who spies on a couple she spots on her commute, will remain a Brit while the other characters will become American.

She tells the BBC, "It's moved to New York but I'm going to play her as British, that was a decision Tate (director Tate Taylor) and I made recently."

And she insists the decision was not made with book fans in mind, adding, "I try not to get weighed down with what people are going to think of me. I'm going to have my own take on it."

The news comes just days after Blunt became embroiled in a row over a joke she made about her U.S. citizenship.

The star, who became an official American in August (15), felt she had to apologise after she made a gag about her new nationality during an appearance on U.S. talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live!

The Devil Wears Prada star said, "I became an American citizen recently, and that night, we watched the Republican debate and I thought, 'This was a terrible mistake. What have I done?'"

The off-hand comment upset legions of Americans who took aim at the actress on social media. The backlash prompted Blunt to apologise during an appearance on America's Today show, declaring, "It was so not the intention to hurt anybody or cause any offence so I really apologise to those that I caused offence (to). It was just an off-hand joke."