Tom Hardy cast as legendary polar explorer in upcoming biopic

According to Variety, the script for the film will be penned by Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy writer Peter Struaghan, while Hardy will take the lead role - which had previously been linked to Leonardo DiCaprio.

Dean Baker, who runs a production company with Hardy, said of the film, “Tom and I were always fascinated by Shackleton as a leader and his contagious optimism and absolute belief in his team.

"At a time where leaders seem to be more about self than society, Shackleton sacrificed his own needs to ensure the wellbeing of his team – that’s inspirational.”

This will not be the first time that Shackleton's life has been told on-screen, a TV version of his life story aired on Channel 4 in 2001 with Kenneth Brannagh in the lead role, earning both BAFTA and Emmy wins.

No announcements have yet been made regarding when the film might go into production or when a release date is likely.

Hardy's most recent film role was in Venom, in which he played the titular character - a role he is set to reprise in a sequel this year.

He is also set to star as Al Capone later this year in Fonzo, a biopic about the life of the notorious gangster.