Gyllenhaal to play Captain Marvel?

Executives at Hollywood film studio New Line are desperately trying to sign 'Brokeback Mountain' star Jake Gyllenhaal as Captain Marvel in 'Shazam!'

The studio is looking to bid on a big franchise along the lines of 'Batman' and 'Superman' and think the movie, which is based on the DC comic, is the perfect project.

A source tells the New York Daily News, "They're ready to spend up to $200m to get it started."

Sources say director Peter Segal and his fellow producers want to sign the star before 'Spider-man' director Sam Raimi can get to him.

Raimi is reportedly on the lookout for a new Spider-Man after current star Tobey Maguire recently said he is ready to move on and let someone else play the role.