Rickman to join cast of The Butler?

Alan Rickman could be joining the cast of historical drama The Butler.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the British actor is in talks for a part in the film about butler Eugene Allen, who served at the White House from 1952 to 1986.

Director Lee Daniels has enlisted top stars to take on small roles as the notaries who passed through the White House over the years, with Forest Whitaker, David Oyelowo and Oprah Winfrey taking the three lead parts.

Jane Fonda and John Cusack are already thought to have signed up to play Nancy Reagan and President Richard Nixon, and other stars rumoured to be in talks are Matthew McConaughey, Cuba Gooding Jr and Terrence Howard.

Harry Potter star Alan's next movie is the crime caper Gambit, alongside Stanley Tucci, Colin Firth and Cameron Diaz.