Tumblr accounts, assemble!  After shining as Loki in Thor and The Avengers as well as more dramatic roles like The Hollow Crown, Only Lovers Left Alive, and Midnight in Paris, actor Tom Hiddleston is lining up a fascinating new project: the story of country music icon Hank Williams.  That’s right, London-native Hiddleston has been tapped to play the country legend in the biopic I Saw the Light, which will be directed by Marc Abraham (Flash of Genius).  Moreover, the actor plans to do all of his own singing.  Hit the jump for more.

[Update: Hiddleston has now shared an image of himself as Williams, which is included after the jump.]

Hiddleston celebrated the news by sharing the following image on Twitter. Our original story follows:

thor-movie-image-tom-hiddleston-glare-01
Image via Marvel Studios

It was announced today that Tom Hiddleston is set to star as Hank Williams in I Saw the Light, which is based on the biography of Williams by author Colin Escott.  The story will revolve around Williams’ rise to fame and sudden death at the age of 29.  It’s a rather odd marriage of actor and material, but if anyone can surpass this kind of culture gap, it’s Hiddleston.  The actor has a knack for disappearing into characters and is an incredibly talented impressionist.  One imagines he’ll be able to nail down Williams’ Alabama accent in no time.  Filming is poised to begin in Louisiana in October.

One of the most interesting prospects of this project is that Hiddleston will be doing all of his own singing in the film.  The production has secured the rights to Williams’ catalogue, so we could very well have Hiddleston’s rendition of “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” to look forward to.  The actor most recently wrapped director Guillermo del Toro’s Gothic horror film Crimson Peak and will next shoot director Ben Wheatley’s thriller High-Rise.  As one of the most exciting (not to mention charming) talents working today, I’m very much looking forward to seeing Hiddleston’s take on Williams.

Enjoy a few of the actor’s impressions below, followed by the full press release.

TOM HIDDLESTON TO STAR

AS HANK WILLIAMS IN I SAW THE LIGHT

FOR RATPAC ENTERTAINMENT, BRON STUDIOS

AND WRITER/DIRECTOR MARC ABRAHAM

Los Angeles, June 12, 2014 – Tom Hiddleston will star in I SAW THE LIGHT, the story of the legendary country western singer Hank Williams, who in his brief life created one of the greatest bodies of work in American music. The film chronicles his meteoric rise to fame and its ultimately tragic effect on his health and personal life.

I SAW THE LIGHT will be directed by Marc Abraham from his screenplay based on Colin Escott’s award winning biography.  Aaron L. Gilbert will produce via his Bron Studios alongside Brett Ratner, G. Marq Roswell and Abraham.  James Packer will executive produce for RatPac Entertainment.

The Bron Studios / RatPac Entertainment production, in association with Creative Wealth Media Finance, is scheduled to begin production in Louisiana in October 2014.  Via Sony ATV, the production has secured rights to the Williams music catalogue including such hits as “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” “Hey Good Lookin’” and “Your Cheatin’ Heart.”

Hiddleston, who will do his own singing in the film, is well known to audiences for his portrayal of Loki in Marvel Studio's THOR, THE AVENGERS and THOR: THE DARK WORLD.  He has also appeared in films such as Woody Allen's MIDNIGHT IN PARIS, Jim Jarmusch's ONLY LOVERS LEFT ALIVE and Steven Spielberg's WAR HORSE.

Hiddleston has recently wrapped Guillermo del Toro's CRIMSON PEAK for Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures and will soon start work on Ben Wheatley's HIGH-RISE for producer Jeremy Thomas and Recorded Picture Company.  Hiddleston is represented by Hamilton Hodell, WME, Authentic and Peikoff Mahan Law Office.

Abraham previously directed FLASH OF GENIUS, starring Greg Kinnear.  He is also well known as the producer of such titles as CHILDREN OF MEN, DAWN OF THE DEAD, SPYGAME and many others.

Bron is currently in pre-production on THE MASTER CLEANSE, the fantasy horror comedy starring Johnny Galecki, Chloë Sevigny and Anjelica Huston, written and directed by Bobby Miller; and on the animated feature film HENCHMEN, directed by Adam Wood.