Christian Bale to play Apple co-founder Steve Jobs in upcoming biopic

Christian Bale, left, will play Steve Jobs in a new film about the Apple co-founder's life. Credit: DPA / Empics

Welsh-born actor Christian Bale will play the role of Steve Jobs in an upcoming Hollywood film about the life of the Apple co-founder.

Screenwriter Aaron Sorkin - who also wrote The Social Network about the story of Facebook - confirmed to Bloomberg that Bale was "the best actor" for the part.

Steve Jobs died aged 56 in 2011 after a long battle with cancer.

"He really is a phenomenal actor," Sorkin said. "The role is an extremely difficult role. He has more words to say in this movie than most people have in three movies combined."

"It's an extremely difficult part and he's gonna crush it."

Brit Danny Boyle - who masterminded the Olympics opening ceremony and was at the helm for the Oscar-winning Slum Dog Millionaire - is in line to direct the Jobs movie.