Cohen to play inventor Edison?

Sacha Baron Cohen could be taking on a serious role in drama The Current War.

The Dictator star is apparently interested in portraying American inventor Thomas Edison in the upcoming historical film, reported Variety.

The Current War, which has been written by Michael Mitnick, tells the story of Thomas and George Westinghouse's battle to produce the first stable electric current.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and Wanted director Timur Bekmambetov is said to have attached himself to the project, which he could also be producing alongside Steve Zaillian.

Sacha - whose alter-egos include rapper Ali G, Kazakhstani journalist Borat, Austrian fashion reporter Bruno and The Dictator's Admiral General Shabazz Aladeen - will next star as late Queen frontman Freddie Mercury in Graham King's biopic.

Other big-screen outings include roles in Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained, Tom Hooper's Les Miserables and his recurring voice role as King Julien XIII in Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted.