Hugh Laurie is in talks to star in 'Tomorrowland' with George Clooney.

The Emmy Award-winning 'House' actor is in negotiations with Disney to play the lead villain in the sci-fi action film which will be directed by Brad Bird.

The plot for the project - which has been described as ''ultra secret'' - has been kept under wraps and was only known as '1952' until adopting its official title last month.

The film was originally thought to be akin to Steven Spielberg's cult 1978 sci-fi film 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind', about a man who makes contact with aliens on Earth, but writer Damon Lindelof denied the film will feature aliens.

He tweeted: ''We won't tell you what it's about (yet), but we will tell you what it's NOT about. And that would be ALIENS. #Tomorrowland (sic)''

The 'Lost' scribe wrote the script with Entertainment Weekly journalist Jeff Jensen, and will also produce the film.

'Tomorrowland' marks Brad Bird's second foray into live action after directing 2011's 'Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol'. His previous films have all been animations, including Disney-Pixar's 'The Incredibles'.

Hugh recently wrapped playing cantankerous doctor Gregory House in the hit medical drama 'House' for eight years and has also lent his voice to animated hit, 'Monsters vs Aliens'.

'Tomorrowland' is expected to be released in December 2014.