Kingsley to play Herod in film?

Sir Ben Kingsley is reportedly interested in playing King Herod in a new movie.

The Oscar-winning Hugo actor is tipped to play the villainous monarch in Mary Mother Of Christ, according to The Wrap.

The site reports that Peter O'Toole, Odeya Rush and Julia Ormond are already attached to Alister Grierson's movie, as Symeon, Mary and Elizabeth, Mary's cousin.

And film bosses are apparently eyeing Dame Judi Dench and Hugh Bonneville for showy roles.

Mary Mother Of Christ has been dubbed as an unofficial prequel to Mel Gibson's 2004 film The Passion Of The Christ, and will revolve around Mary's attempts to defy Herod in order to save her son, Jesus.

The film was written by Barbara Nicolosi and Benedict Fitzgerald, who co-wrote The Passion with Mel.