Ashton Kutcher set to play Steve Jobs

Rumours abound that former Mr Demi Moore will take on the part of Apple founder in 'indie' film

Ashton Kutcher is set to play the Apple founder in one of the two competing films set to be released chronicling his life.

Film industry watcher Variety started the rumour which sees the film follow Jobs' (pictured) development from hippie to co-founder of one of the most successful technology firms on the planet.

Set to be directed by Joshua Michael Stern and based on a script by Matt Whitely, filming is allegedly starting next month.

The movie will compete with another planned epic about Jobs' life, released by Sony, which is due out in the autumn. This film is based on the Walter Isaacson biography of the entrepreneur, which has sold hundreds of thousands of copies worldwide.

Kutcher is currently starring in sitcom Two and a Half Men where he replaced Charlie Sheen last year, and hit the headlines following a well-documented split from Demi Moore.