LOS ANGELES - THE wild life and times of Hollywood legend Steve McQueen are to be immortalised in a biopic of the iconic late actor known as the 'King of Cool', it was reported on Wednesday.

Daily Variety said producers Michael Cerenzie and Christine Peters had acquired the film rights to last year's biography 'Steve McQueen: Portrait of an American Rebel' by Marshall Terrill.

The planned film will focus on McQueen's movie career, which began in 1956 when he won an uncredited role in 'Somebody Up There Likes Me'.

Terrill's biography also delved into McQueen's turbulent life off screen, where he indulged a penchant for fast cars, motorcycles and drugs, was married three times and had a stormy relationship with Ali McGraw.

McQueen, best known for his performances in a string of classic films including 'The Great Escape', 'Bullitt', and 'The Cincinatti Kid', died in 1980 aged 50. -- AFP