Guardians of the Galaxy actor Djimon Hounsou is in talks to play King Arthur's mentor -- the role previously offered to Idris Elba -- in Guy Ritchie's Knights of the Round Table, Variety reports.

He would join stars Charlie Hunnam and Astrid Berges-Frisbey in a retelling of Arthurian legend that Warner Bros. has been said to be envisioning as a sweeping six-movie epic. Jude Law is in negotiations to play an unspecified villain.

Hounsou would portray Bedivere, one of the earliest figures in the Arthurian cycle, depicted in Joby Harold’s screenplay as the right-hand man of Arthur’s father who teaches the young king how to lead an army. Elba had to pull out when schedules didn't align.

A two-time Oscar nominee, Hounsou earned critical acclaim for his roles in Amistad and Blood Diamond. He'll next be seen in Seventh Son.

Knight of the Round Table opens July 22, 2016.