Fox finds its Abe for Lincoln vampire movie

LOS ANGELES – British actor Benjamin Walker will play the title role in "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," in which the 16th president fights the forces of the undead during the Civil War.

The Fox adaptation is a big coup for Walker, who has been performing on Broadway of late. His screen credits include the movies "Flags of our Fathers" and "Golden Compass" as well as the TV show "Torchwood."

But he elbowed his way to the front of the line in the screen tests that took place earlier this month to nab the lead role. And what a role it is: It calls for the actor to play the Lincoln from the age of 20 to 55, from boyish and lanky to skilled fighter to middle-aged with trademarked beard.

Still uncast is the role of Henry Sturges, who mentors and trains Abe in the ways of vampire hunting. Fox went after Tom Hardy before he took the role of Bane in "The Dark Knight Rises." Timur Bekmambetov ("Wanted") is directing.