Christoph Waltz is in negotiations to play the villain in Tarzan, Warner Bros.' take on the classic Edgar Rice Burroughs hero, THR has confirmed.

David Yates is directing the movie, which has Alexander Skarsgard attached as the titular character, a man who is raised by apes.

Waltz will play a Belgian soldier named Captain Rom who attempts to capture Tarzan in exchange for a ransom in diamonds.

The studio next has to cast its Jane, with Margot Robbie and Emma Stone's names both having surfaced for the part.

Producing are Jerry Weintraub and Alan Riche,   with Mike Richardson of Dark Horse Entertainment and Yates exec producing and Jesse Ehrman overseeing for the studio.

The role is a return to the dark side for Waltz, who has made a career playing villains -- though his last role was that of a benevolent bounty hunter in Django Unchained.