Benjamin Walker attached to play Beast in ‘X-Men: First Class’

'Flags Of Our Fathers' star Benjamin Walker is reportedly linked to play the young Hank McCoy aka Beast in the Matthew Vaughn directed 'X-Men: First Class'.

Beast last arrived on the big screen by 'Fraiser' Kelsey Grammer in Brett Ratner's 2006 film 'X-Men: The Last Stand', but if Ben signs to play Beast, he won't be donning a blue fur suit as the young McCoy wasn't as hairy.

The actors are linked in another way also, both of them trained at the prestigious Julliard.

This mutant prequel charts the beginning (and the sour end) of the partnership between Xavier and Lensherr, and introduces us to younger versions of various X-characters. Matthew Vaughn starts shooting it this summer in and around London, with James McAvoy as Charles Xavier, though the likes of Amber Heard, Rosamund Pike, Aaron Johnson and Frank Dillane are all rumoured to be up for roles.

Michael Fassbender is reported to be in final negotiations to take on the role of Erik Lensherr the man who becomes Magneto.