Michael Sheen wants to play John Lennon in a film about The Beatles.

The actor - who has played a number of British icons on the big screen, including former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair - would love to depict the late music icon in a film about the legendary band but is convinced he would be cast as Sir Paul McCartney instead.

He explained: "I'd want to play Lennon, but I probably would be cast as McCartney!"

The 40-year-old actor - who played interviewer David Frost in 'Frost/Nixon' - would have to get over his nerves before agreeing to any prospective role.

Despite his own celebrity status, Michael was too star-struck to have a proper conversation with 67-year-old Paul when they met on a plane recently.

He is quoted by Canadian publication NOW Magazine as saying: "I met Paul McCartney on a flight not long ago. I was sitting there going, 'I can't go over there.' And then he came over to me. He said, 'You're famous, aren't you? I've seen you on the TV.' And I thought, 'Yeah, I've seen you on the TV a few times as well!' "