Woody Harrelson signed on for Lyndon B Johnson's biopic

Los Angeles: "Presidential" actor Woody Harrelson will play former US President Lyndon B Johnson in his upcoming biopic, which will be helmed by Rob Reiner. Written by Joey Hartstone, "LBJ" chronicles the Southern politician's rise to become the 36th president of the United States.

Filming is slated to begin in September in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Dallas and Washington, said The Hollywood Reporter.

"LBJ" centres on the political upheaval that Vice President Johnson faced when he was thrust into the presidency at the hands of an assassin's bullet in November 1963. With political battles on both sides of the aisle, Johnson struggles to heal a nation and secure his legacy by passing the historic Civil Rights Act.

Harrelson, 53, joins a group of elite actors who have earlier taken on the role the 36th president like Tom Wilkinson, Liev Schreiber and Bryan Cranston.