Actor Jon Voight has been cast to portray U.S. college football coach Paul 'Bear' Bryant in a new movie.

Angelina Jolie's father will join Sean Astin and Sherri Shepherd in Woodlawn, according to Variety.com.

The film will centre on tensions at integrated Alabama high school Woodlawn and star African-American football player Tony Nathan.

Bryant, who was famous for his chequered hats, coached the University of Alabama football from 1958 to 1982 and recruited Nathan to play for the college in the mid-1970s. He went on to play the sport professionally.