Bend It Like Beckham star
Jonathan Rhys-Meyers is to play Elvis Presley.
The 27-year-old actor has
landed the lead role in a US mini-series about the King.
He was chosen for his
"uncanny" resemblance to Elvis, said executive producer Howard
Braunstein.
"He was the first person
I'd ever thought of for the role. I watched Bend It Like Beckham and
when you see him, you just say, 'He is Elvis'," Braunstein said.
"He has the physical look
and the style that embodies Elvis, both the sweetness and the sex
appeal."
The Irish-born actor got
the role by sending in a film of himself made up like Elvis and
imitating the singer's distinctive drawl.
"It was uncanny - the
voice sounded so authentic," Braunstein said.
Scream actress Rose
McGowan will play screen siren Ann-Margaret, who starred with Elvis
in Viva Las Vegas.
Randy Quaid will play
Elvis's manager Colonel Tom Parker in the mini-series, called Elvis,
for US network CBS.
