Malkovich to play 'Jonah Hex' villain

John Malkovich has been cast as the villain in Warner Bros comic book movie Jonah Hex.

According to Variety, the Changeling star will portray a Southern plantation owner who blames gunslinger Hex for the death of his son in the Civil War.

Josh Brolin has already been cast as the eponymous character, while Jimmy Harward (Horton Hears A Who!) has agreed to direct. The script is from Crank pair Mark Neveldine and Brian Taylor, who quit as directors in November citing creative differences.

Jonah Hex is scheduled to begin production later this year.