Bell had been on the shortlist for the role along with Josh Hutcherson, Andrew Garfield, and others, and was considered a frontrunner. Since his starmaking turn in Billy Elliot, Bell has gone on to star in some pretty big films, but this would be his first real starmaking turn since. Back in 2004 he co-starred in Peter Jackson's King Kong
remake, and most recently could be seen in 2008's nazi drama Defiance
alongside Daniel Craig.Bell's career could be in line for a major boost even if this rumor doesn't hold up. He's due to star as Tintin in the CGI adaptation of the popular Belgian comic. That project is being spearheaded by Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson.
