King Colin

Colin Firth has signed on to play George VI in "The King's Speech"--directed by Emmy winning John Adams helmer Tom Hooper says Variety.



The film tells the story of the man who would become King George VI, the father of the current Queen of the British Monarchy. After his brother Edward VII abdicated to marry commoner Wallis Simpson, George 'Bertie' VI (Firth) reluctantly assumes the throne.

Plagued with a nervous stammer and considered unfit to be King, Bertie engages the help of an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush). Through a set of unexpected techniques, and as a result of an unlikely friendship, Bertie is able to find his voice and boldly lead the country into war.

The film is being written by David Seidler.

Production starts later this year for release in 2010.