Captain America Chris Evans is set to play Singin’ in the Rain star Gene Kelly in a new film the late star’s family may not welcome.
The screen legend’s widow Patricia Ward, 62 recently said she would remain 'vociferous in conveying Gene’s strong sentiments' about never being portrayed in a film about him.
But Marvel superhero Evans, 40, is said to have started work on his own project, which will feature him playing the star.
The film will follow a 12-year-old boy who works at MGM in 1952 –when Singin’ in the Rain was made – and has an imaginary friendship with Kelly as the pair work on another movie.
It comes after Spider-Man’s Tom Holland announced he will play Fred Astaire on screen, prompting Patricia to say in December: “I can’t verify how Astaire felt about a biopic, but it was one thing Gene specifically asked not to be done.
"I’ve been vociferous in conveying Gene’s strong sentiments.
"I hope people respect what he wanted.”
No studio is yet attached to the project.
Three years after expressing his desire to star in a musical, Evans is set to play his dream role.
And the rumoured Gene Kelly flick is believed to be a movie based on the actor's own concept.
Chris has previously spoken about his desire to star in a musical.
In a 2019 interview, the Marvel star said: "I want to do a musical so badly, man. Someone told me they're remaking Little Shop of Horrors and I was like, "Oh, can I be down? Please? Can I be the dentist?"'
"When I first came out here, early 2000s, there were rumblings about Spielberg maybe doing West Side Story. That's one of my favourite musicals. I did it when I was in high school.
"And obviously he's doing it now, and I called my team and they were like, Chris - maybe [Officer] Krupke. You can't. You're too old. It's so hard to hear."
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