Will Smith to play Pharaoh Taharqa

Los Angeles -- Hollywood actor Will Smith reportedly plans to star in the film "The Last Pharaoh," which is being written by "Braveheart" author Randall Wallace.

Variety.com said Smith took Wallace the story of Taharqa, the pharaoh who battled Assyrian invaders starting around 677 B.C.

Wallace is writing the screenplay for Columbia Pictures with Smith planning to headline the film, the entertainment industry trade newspaper said.

Smith has starred in "Hancock," "Pursuit of Happyness," "Ali," "Men in Black" and "Independence Day."

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.