Will Smith to play 'Last Pharaoh'

Will Smith will star in The Last Pharaoh, a historical epic from Braveheart screenwriter Randall Wallace, reports Variety.

Smith has long held a desire to play the pharaoh Taharqa, who ruled Egypt from 690 BC to 664 BC. The film will centre on Taharqa's conflict with Assyrian leader Esarhaddon, which started in 677 BC.

The Hancock actor will produce the film along with James Lassiter and Ken Stovitz.

Smith's next film, Seven Pounds, which reunites him with The Pursuit of Happyness director Gabriele Muccino, will be released in the UK next January.