Michael Douglas - who is recovering from throat cancer - is to play Liberace in Steven Soderbergh's biopic of the camp ivory-tickler.
The 66-year-old actor has been studying tapes of the globally successful pianist - once the highest-paid entertainer in the world - who died aged 67 of a heart attack.
Douglas, who has undergone chemotherapy and radiation treatment for his cancer, will wear prosthetics for the role which will also require some musical training.
Matt Damon is to play Scott Thorson. a 24-year-old bodyguard, limo driver, and alleged live-in boyfriend of Liberace who sued the pianist for $113m in palimony after an acrimonious split-up.
In addition to starting his new movie, Douglas is planning on taking his family on a trip around the world.
