And, said De Laurentiis, the biopic about the legendary 4th Century conqueror is expected to also feature Hopkins, but not in the lead.

Hopkins worked with Scott and De Laurentiis on Hannibal

At 63, Hopkins is too old to play Macedonian Alexander the Great, who died aged 33.

De Laurentiis spoke to journalists at a press conference at Italy's Giffoni Film Festival.

"I would like to have big stars in the secondary roles, and get an unknown actor to play the part of Alexander the Great - a unique human being," he said.

The film is being written by Ted Tally, who won an Oscar for his work on Silence of the Lambs.

Tally is adapting the film from the historical trilogy by Valerio Massimo Manfredi.

Mysticism

The life of Alexander the Great, though short, would provide ample material for a high-action screen blockbuster.

He earned his reputation as a remarkable warrior from campaigns that included smashing the Persian empire and opening up the East to Western culture.

But there are also many legends surrounding Alexander to add romance and mysticism to the movie.

They include the taming of his horse, Bucephalus and his unravelling of the Gordian Knot.

Similar historical movies produced by De Laurentiis include Conan the Barbarian and Slave of Dreams.

But he is best known for films such as Barbarella, Death Wish, Blue Velvet and the 1976 remake of King Kong.

British director Scott is best known for films such as Alien, Blade Runner and Thelma and Louise.