Image caption Walken, who turned 70 this year, won an Oscar for The Deer Hunter

Clint Eastwood has cast Christopher Walken in his film adaptation of hit musical Jersey Boys.

The 70-year-old will play Angelo "Gyp" DeCarlo, the real-life mobster who takes Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons under his wing in the show.

Known for menacing roles in The Deer Hunter and True Romance, Walken is also a trained dancer and starred in West Side Story before becoming an actor.

He famously showed off his footwork in the Fatboy Slim video Weapon of Choice.

Jersey Boys is a so-called "jukebox musical" that charts the origins of vocal harmony group the Four Seasons.

Featuring songs like Walk Like A Man and Can't Take My Eyes Off You, it has been a hit both on Broadway and in the West End, winning multiple Olivier and Tony awards

The film adaptation has had a turbulent history. Iron Man director Jon Favreau was hired to direct it in 2010 but left after failing to agree a budget with the Warner Bros studio.

The project was resurrected in May 2013 when movie veteran Eastwood agreed to direct. His first decision was to cast stage actors in the main roles.

Trade paper Variety reported last week that John Lloyd Young, Erich Bergen and Michael Lomenda - all of whom have appeared in stage productions of Jersey Boys - were being lined up for the movie.

On Tuesday, however, the Daily Mail claimed that Ryan Molloy - Frankie in the London production - had been having "secret talks" with the film's producers.

Boardwalk Empire star Vincent Piazza is expected to play Valli's foil, Tommy DeVito, in Eastwood's film, set to begin filming in September.