Oscar-winner Jared Leto to play Hugh Hefner in film biopic

Jared Leto is in line to play the Playboy founder in an upcoming movie. Photos / AP

Jared Leto will soon be donning those famous silk pyjamas as it emerged the Academy Award winner will take on the role of the late Hugh Hefner in a new biopic.

The 45-year-old will play the 91-year-old Playboy founder in the film, which will be directed by Brett Ratner.

"Jared is an old friend," Ratner told the Hollywood Reporter. "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 set on directing the movie as far back as 2007 with Robert Downey Jr once attached to play Hefner.

Ratner invited Leto to the Playboy Mansion in April for the premiere of Amazon's docuseries American Playboy: The Hugh Hefner Story, which a celebration of Hefner turning 91.

Leto did not meet Hefner at the event as he was not feeling well.

But Ratner feels "there's enough footage on Hef out there that Jared will be able to get as much information as he wants", he said.

Hefner starred on many TV shows, including Entourage and Sex And The City.
Meanwhile, details have emerged that Hefner died of cardiac arrest and respiratory failure.

His death certificate revealed he was battling E. coli and blood poisoning for six days before dying.

The document obtained by New York Post explains that Hefner's infection was "highly resistant to antibiotics".

Hefner passed away in his famed mansion in Los Angeles on September 27. He was laid to rest in a private memorial last weekend.

On Monday, Hefner's wife Crystal made her first statement since his passing. She told People magazine: "I am heartbroken. I am still in disbelief.

"He gave me life. He gave me direction. He taught me kindness.

"I will feel eternally grateful to have been by his side, holding his hand, and telling him how much I love him.

"He changed my life, he saved my life. He made me feel loved every single day."