Jared Leto to play Hugh Hefner in upcoming biopic

Directed by Brett Ratner

(AFP/Getty Images)

Just days after Hugh Hefner died, Jared Leto has been announced to be playing the controversial head of Playboy in an upcoming biopic.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Brett Ratner — who last helmed the Dwayne Johnson-starring Hercules — will direct.

"Jared is an old friend,” Ratner told the publication. "When he heard I got the rights to Hef's story, he told me, 'I want to play him. I want to understand him.' And I really believe Jared can do it. He's one of the great actors of today.”

Ratner has been hoping to move forward with the biopic since 2007, with Robert Downey Jr. having once been attached to the role.

Leto’s recent roles include Dallas Buyers Club, Suicide Squad, and the upcoming Blade Runner 2049, a sci-fi sequel that has been called a masterpiece by critics.

While the actor never met Hefner, Ratner said: "There's enough footage on Hef out there that Jared will be able to get as much information as he wants.”

Hefner — who founded Playboy more than 60 years ago — passed away last week of natural causes at the age of 91.