Bend It Like Beckham star plays Elvis

Bend It Like Beckham star Jonathan Rhys-Meyers is to play Elvis Presley.

He was chosen for his "uncanny" resemblance to Elvis, said executive producer Howard Braunstein.

"He was the first person I'd ever thought of for the role. I watched Bend It Like Beckham and when you see him, you just say, 'He is Elvis'," Braunstein said.

"He has the physical look and the style that embodies Elvis, both the sweetness and the sex appeal."

The Irish-born actor got the role by sending in a film of himself made up like Elvis and imitating the singer's distinctive drawl. "It was uncanny - the voice sounded so authentic," Braunstein said.

Scream actress Rose McGowan will play screen siren Ann-Margaret, who starred with Elvis in Viva Las Vegas and had an affair with him before he married Priscilla.

Randy Quaid will play Elvis's manager Colonel Tom Parker in the mini-series, called Elvis, for US network CBS.