(Cover) - -No story type selected- - Stars including Jack Nicholson, Alec Baldwin and Shia LaBeouf are all being linked to Warren Beatty's Howard Hughes biopic.

According to Deadline, 74-year-old movie icon Warren is ploughing ahead with a biopic of American business mogul and film producer Howard, who passed away in 1976.

There have been reports that Warren, who will star in and direct the picture, may portray Howard, although he has also been meeting with a host of A-list stars in relation to the film.

Established names such as Alec and Jack have been approached about the movie, and it is expected Warren's 53-year-old actress wife Annette Bening will appear.

The biopic also plans to champion rising talent, with up-and-coming stars including Andrew Garfield, Shia LaBeouf, Evan Rachel Wood and Rooney Mara said to have been in talks.

The film is expected to focus on Howard's later years, with movie insiders predicting it to fall outside the typical biopic format. (C) Cover Media