From Birdman to Big Mac: Michael Keaton in talks for McDonald's movie

Actor set to play Illinois businessman Ray Kroc

Actor Michael Keaton, winner of Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy for 'Birdman' (Getty Images)

Michael Keaton is reportedly in talks to take the lead role in McDonald's movie The Founder.

The actor is set to play Ray Kroc, according to Variety, an American businessman who helped the McDonald brothers turn their restaurant into a global fast food empire.

Kroc started out as a milkshake dispenser, but thanks to his aggressive business style he wound up buying McDonald's off the brothers for $2.7 million in 1961.

The existence of the movie emerged through reports last month, with Saving Mr Banks' John Lee Hancock rumoured to be directing it.

The Wrestler writer Robert Siegel will pen the script, with Film Nation and Jeremy Renner's The Combine producing.

Keaton won a Golden Globe for his comeback role in Birdman on Sunday night, and will almost certainly have earned an Oscar nomination, with this year's nominees set to be revealed later today.