Michael Keaton may star as McDonald's magnate in 'The Founder'

Michael Keaton is in talks to star in upcoming film 'The Founder,' which will tell the dark tale behind rise of the McDonald's fast food empire.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the project would be helmed by John Lee Hancock from a script by Robert Siegel, and is being produced by FilmNation and The Combine.

The drama film would portray the true story of how Ray Kroc, a salesman from Illinois, met Mac and Dick McDonald, who were running a burger operation in 1950s Southern California. After seeing the brothers' speedy system of making the food and Kroc saw franchise potential, and maneuvered himself into a position to be able to pull the company from the brothers and create a billion-dollar empire.

It is believed that the film would somewhat be on the tone similar to 'The Social Network' and 'There Will Be Blood.'

Sources say that Keaton, 63, who recently received best actor Golden Globe win for his work in Birdman, and has received SAG Awards and BAFTA Awards nominations for it, met with Hancock, who offered him the role.