Morgan Freeman to play magician in 'Now You See Me'?

Morgan Freeman is in late negotiations to play an outsider magician in the upcoming heist film Now You See Me.

The actor would join a cast including Melanie Laurent, Mark Ruffalo, Amanda Seyfried and Jesse Eisenberg.

Now You See Me centres on a group of performers known as The Four Horsemen, who conduct bank robberies during their shows and frame audience members.

Freeman's character is a rejected member of the Magic Circle, who makes his living informing on the criminal gang.

Clash of the Titans director Louis Leterrier will be directing from a script by Edward Ricourt and Prince of Persia: Sands of Time writer Boaz Yakin.

In June, Freeman denied that he had plans to retire from Hollywood after receiving a Life Achievement award from the American Film Institute.

He said that he was inspired by fellow actors Sidney Poitier and Clint Eastwood, who continued acting and directing after being honoured.

The actor is currently filming The Dark Knight Rises with Christian Bale and Anne Hathaway.

Watch the teaser trailer for The Dark Knight Rises below: