JONATHAN Rhys Meyers has landed another plum film role. He'll star in remake of the comic Mandrake the Magician as Mandrake himself. Filming begins early in the New Year in China and the U.S., and the project will be directed by Chuck Russell.

"This is a rare opportunity to reinvent one of the all-time classic comic book characters and create a new kind of hero for international audiences," Russell said.

All should go well, provided that the director doesn't ask JRM to sing. The Cork native had to sing a few bars for his upcoming film August Rush, and he cringes when he listens to himself.

"It's dreadful. I'm absolutely horrified and stunned that I could shame myself so much," the pouty-lipped star says.

Look for the second season of JRM's huge Showtime hit, The Tudors, to debut early next year.