Robert De Niro to play Enzo Ferrari in feature film

To be titled simply 'Ferrari', the film is planned to span the period between 1945 and 1980. This would see a time where the world saw the rise of the Prancing Horse as a formidable force on the racetrack, as well as covering the development of such iconic road cars as the 250 GTO and 365 GTB Daytona.

Speaking to Il Messagero newspaper in Italy, De Niro said: “It is an honour to tell the life of an extraordinary man who revolutionised the world of motor sport. The film will go into production soon, mostly in Italy, and has absolute priority over all my other projects.”

Fellow screen legend Clint Eastwood is already rumoured to be taking the directorial role for the film, which is slated for release in 2016.