Garrett Hedlund to play Captain Hook in new Peter Pan

Garrett Hedlund is set to star as crocodile-phobic villain Captain Hook in a new film version of Peter Pan .

Director Joe Wright apparently picked Hedlund over nearest rival Jack Huston ( Boardwalk Empire ) after a weekend of rigorous testing for his new 'origins story' adap of J.M. Barrie's novel, simply title Pan .

Meanwhile, Hugh Jackman and Javier Bardem are tipped to play baddie Blackbeard, with an open casting call out for a 10-12-year-old to take on mischevious Neverlander Peter Pan.

In something of a departure from previous adaptations, Pan will be set in WWII, where pirates kidnap Peter and take him to Neverland. There, he realises he's destined to protect its inhabitants.

And in another unexpected twist, Peter and Captain Hook will be portrayed as friends going up against Blackbeard together.

Pan will be released 17 July 2015.

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