R&B singer Usher is in negotiations to play a younger version of Morgan Freeman's character in a film the Oscar winner plans to direct, MTV reports.

The action-suspense film tells the story of an assassin and takes place in Cuba in the 1960s and the present day.

Usher said that given the opportunity to play a young Freeman would be "the greatest compliment of my life."

"He's such a graceful person. He's such a wonderful individual," Usher added.

The film marks Freeman's first directorial work since his 1993 drama "Bopha."

Usher will hit the big screen next month with the mafia comedy "In the Mix."