Robert Redford eyed by Disney for remake of 'Pete's Dragon'

LOS ANGELES: Veteran actor Robert Redford is reportedly in negotiations to appear in Disney's remake of 'Pete's Dragon'.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 77-year-old actor will play a man who shares unbelievable tales about dragons to his logging community, if he secures the role.

A fishing village was the setting for the original 1977 movie, which told the story of a boy named Pete and his relationship with Elliot the dragon.

David Lowery's remake will be live-action, using CGI effects to bring the dragon to life instead of animation.

Oakes Fegley - who has starred in 'Boardwalk Empire' - is due to play Pete, while Oona Laurence is set to take the role of a mill owner's daughter.

Jim Whitaker has been lined up to produce the movie, which is expected to begin shooting in New Zealand later this autumn.

Redford recently starred in 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' and is currently working on 'A Walk in the Woods'.