Matt Damon is set to star as Robert F. Kennedy in a new movie.

The 'Invictus' actor is reportedly in negotiations to play the American politician in an adaptation of Evan Thomas' respected biography 'Robert Kennedy: His Life'.

Like the book, the film is expected to follow the civil rights activist - who was the younger brother of US leader John F. Kennedy - from his early life, through the 1960 and 1968 presidential campaigns until his assassination.

Movie website Deadline Hollywood said: "The film will trace RFK's transformation from the younger brother in the shadow brother President John F Kennedy to a strong national leader in his own right before he was gunned down in 1968."

Steven Knight is believed to be writing the script for the movie, which will be directed by Gary Ross.

Gary and Alison Thomas are producing the project.

No further casting information has been revealed.