Barnard excited over Mariah Mundi

Aneurin Barnard can't wait to start work on Mariah Mundi And The Midas Box.

The Welsh heartthrob is set to star as the lead character in the first film adaptation of GP Taylor's teen adventure trilogy, which would be his most high-profile role to date.

"I am playing the title role of Mariah Mundi, so I have to really drive through the movie. It's going to be fun, it's got a great cast," he said.

Michael Sheen, Sam Neill, Lena Headey, Keeley Hawes and Ioan Gruffudd are also starring in Jonathan Newman's film, which has already started pre-production.

Aneurin - who has appeared in Elfie Hopkins, Hunky Dory and Ironclad - has few nerves about taking the major role: "It's a nice, big-budget movie - 25 million US dollars.

"It's not easy to be in the lead and hopefully I can try to prove that. I want to be one of those actors from the good old days, when they tried to be credible and be different in every movie."

The role could propel the 24-year-old into Hollywood, much like Harry Potter did for Daniel Radcliffe, but Aneurin is ruling out a permanent move to Hollywood.

"I'd go there to work. I don't know if I could live in Hollywood, I could live in New York," he said.

"I'm a firm believer in British films and business, so I'll always be in the UK - but it would be nice to have a few holiday homes."