Hollywood film star Charlie Hunnam wants to save the world - by playing Superman in a new movie.

Described as the new Brad Pitt, the North-East born actor who wowed TV viewers with his roles in Byker Grove and Queer as Folk, is one of six actors in the frame to play the comic book hero in his fifth cinematic outing.

The current craze for superheroes and comic book adaptations has led to Warner Bros reviving the DC Comics film franchise, with plans to release a new film in 2006, possibly directed by Michael Bay, who was responsible for Pearl Harbor.

Hunnam, 24, a former pupil at Heaton Manor School, Newcastle, must do battle against five other hopefuls asked to take screen tests for the role. They include current darling of Hollywood, Jake Gyllenhaal, who starred in The Day After Tomorrow.

Other young actors in the frame include Brandon Routh, who starred in Will and Grace and bears a striking resemblance to Christopher Reeve; Scottish actor Sam Heughan, former Hollyoaks regular Max Brown and Mike Vogel.

Hunnam has lived in Los Angeles for five years and played the lead role in film Nicholas Nickleby.

He said: "I want to be doing this when I'm 60 and getting the big paying roles then.

"I have to pick the parts that are right for the long term, rather than take the money now."