Ridley Scott 'plans Reagan movie'

Scott's American Gangster was nominated for two Oscars

Sir Ridley Scott is to make a film about late US president Ronald Reagan's dealings with ex-Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, according to reports.

The still untitled project will focus on the 1986 arms control summit that took place in Reykjavik, Iceland.

"I want to show who they were and why they did what they did," Sir Ridley told the Hollywood Reporter.

No casting has been announced, though the film-maker is quoted as saying that "physical resemblance is secondary".

"It's less about visible appearance, more about the acting," he told the US trade journal.

Reagan was tall and elegant while Gorbachev was stocky, like a front row rugby player Sir Ridley Scott

Representatives from Sir Ridley's Scott Free production company have visited Reykjavik and obtained permission to use the historic house where the summit took place.

No agreement was reached at the summit, though enough was achieved to bring about a nuclear disarmament treaty the following year.

"Their actions helped shape history, paving the way for the end of the Cold War," said Sir Ridley, who reportedly plans to release the film in 2009.

The director's most recent film, crime epic American Gangster, was released last year.

Reagan and Gorbachev have both been played previously on screen

His next - Body of Lies, a thriller about a reporter on the trail of an al-Qaeda leader - will be released this autumn.

Mr Reagan, who died in June 2004, and Mr Gorbachev were previously played by actors Robert Beatty and Timothy West in the 1987 TV movie Breakthrough at Reykjavik.

Other actors who have portrayed the late US president on screen include James Brolin, Richard Crenna and Rip Torn.

"You have to acknowledge the physicality," said Scott. "Reagan was tall and elegant while Gorbachev was stocky, like a front row rugby player."

"In some ways, Gorbachev is easier to cast. Reagan is more colourful."