Hopkins 'set for classic remake'

Hopkins may play the judge in the remake

Sir Anthony Hopkins is negotiating to star in a remake of 1949 classic All The King's Men, according to reports.

Sean Penn is already confirmed in the central role of Willy Stark.

Sopranos star James Gandolfini and Dogville actress Patricia Clarkson are also in talks to star in the film, said trade newspaper The Hollywood Reporter.

The original film won best picture and best actor and best supporting actress for its stars Broderick Crawford and Mercedes McCambridge.

Politician's rise

Hopkins is in talks to play the judge in the new version, about the rise of a rural politician, while Oscar-nominated actress Clarkson - who has appeared in television drama Six Feet Under - may play Sadie.

She was up for an Academy Award earlier this year for her role in Pieces Of April.

Mercedes McCambridge won an Oscar for the original

The film was based on the life of late Louisiana governor Huey Long.

Actress McCambridge, who died earlier this year, won fame decades later for voicing the demon in cult horror film The Exorcist.

Jude Law and Kate Winslet are also to appear in the remake of All The King's Men, which has been adapted for the screen and will also be directed by Steve Zaillian, Hollywood Reporter said.

Zaillian won an Oscar for his screen adaptation of 1993 film Schindler's List.

Hopkins will next be seen on screen in Oliver Stone's epic about Alexander The Great, in which he plays Ptolemy.