LOS ANGELES: Madonna is hoping to sign up former 'Doctor Who' star David Tennant for the role of King Edward VIII in her new movie 'W.E'.

Madonna wants to sign up David Tennant for her new film.

The 51-year-old is directing and writing 'W.E' - which will tell the story of the relationship between Britain's King Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson - and is hoping the former 'Doctor Who' actor will take on the role of the monarch, who sensationally abdicated the British throne to live with the American divorcee in 1936.

A source said: "Madonna's interest in directing a drama was first revealed a year ago.

"She put it on hold while going through her divorce but is really keen to get into directing again and has her eye on David, having loved his work on 'Doctor Who'."

Madonna, 51, was originally planning to play the part of Wallis, but has since reconsidered and is in talks with Best Supporting Actress Oscar nominee Vera Farmiga.

Madonna's only other directing credit is 2008's 'Filth and Wisdom', which starred Richard E. Grant and Eugene Hutz, although she has served as a writer on documentary 'I Am Because We Are'.

The 'Hung Up' singer's own acting career has been wildly inconsistent with panned performances in a host of movies, including 'Swept Away' and 'Body of Evidence', but critically acclaimed appearances in musical 'Evita' and 'Desperately Seeking Susan'

'W.E' is still in pre-production and has a preliminary release date of 2011.