Brad Pitt's recently acquired beard, which has divided opinion among his female fans, is for a new film role, it has emerged.

The actor is set to play Colonel Percy Harrison Fawcett in a movie about the famous British explorer.

According to the Daily Mail, Brad's production company Plan B has bought the rights for a movie based on the 2009 book,  The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon.

Brad's beard has divided opinion among the star's fans.

The book revealed previously unknown details about Fawcett's disappearance in the Amazon in 1925.

It is thought that plans are in place for the movie to be released in 2011

Brad's beard has become the subject of huge speculation as it has grown longer in recent months.

The actor was most recently spotted sporting his new look as he dined with partner Angelina Jolie in New York on Wednesday.

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