EastEnders star Ben Hardy is in negotiations to join X-Men: Apocalypse.

The 24-year-old actor, who has left the BBC soap where he played Peter Beale, is said to be vying for a “key, as-yet-undisclosed role” in Bryan Singer’s third and final instalment of the new trilogy, reported The Wrap.

Danny Dyer and Ben Hardy
Ben with EastEnders co-star Danny Dyer (Yui Mok/PA)

When asked about the rumours at the National Television Awards, Ben laughed off the stories, saying they were “just rumours”.

If he does land a role in Apocalyse, he would join James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence and Nicholas Hoult, who will reprise their roles as Professor Charles Xavier, Magneto, Mystique and Beast respectively.

X-Men stars James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender
(Jon Furniss/Invision/AP)

Oscar Isaac will play the film’s titular villain Apocalypse, while Rose Byrne will return to her role of Moira MacTaggert.

New cast members include Tye Sheridan as Cyclops, Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, Alexandra Shipp as Storm and Kodi Smit-McPhee as Nightcrawler.

Filming for X-Men: Apocalypse is set to start in April, with the movie due to be released in May 2016.