British Actor Tom Hiddleston Cast As Iconic American Singer Hank Williams

British-born actor Tom Hiddleston has allegedly been cast to play country singer Hank Williams in an upcoming biopic about the country singer's life. Deadline reports that Hiddleston will learn Williams’ Alabama accent and how to play his music for the role.

Tom Hiddleston has been cast in the role of Hank Williams in the upcoming biopic

The biopic, titled “I Saw The Light” is based on the 1994 book “Hank Williams: The Biography,” written by Colin Escott, George Merritt and William MacEwan. Famed producer Marc Abraham has written the screenplay and will also be directing the film, which he plans to begin shooting this October in Louisiana.

Producers have secured the rights to use several of Williams’ songs in the movie, including "I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry," "Hey Good Lookin’" and "Your Cheatin’ Heart."

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Williams died in 1953 from complications related to alcohol and drug abuse, aged just 29 year old. In his short life he became one of the most famous and loved country musicians with eight of his singles topping the country music charts. Known as the “King of the Hillbillies,” in 2010 he was awarded a posthumous Pulitzer prize, which recognised his “pivotal role in transforming country music and cultural force.”

Not everyone was happy to hear a Brit had been cast as an iconic American figure

Hiddleston, who was born in Westminster, is best known for his role as Loki, super villain and adopted brother of "Thor", in the current Marvel comic movies. He has also starred in a BBC production of "King Henry V," the TV mini-series "The Hollow Crown," "War Horse" and "Only Lovers Left Alive."

Although he has been gaining popularity as an actor, one Variety-reader was not impressed with the decision to cast him as Hank Williams: “I guess there is nothing quintessentially American anymore. I look forward to a movie about Burt Reynolds starring Kenneth Branagh.”

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