Los Angeles, Nov 14 (IANS): Actors Ewan McGregor and Zoe Saldana have joined Don Cheadle's passion project on iconic jazz pioneer Miles Davis.

The movie will not just see Cheadle, 48, play the lead role, but he will also debut as director with the film, reports aceshowbiz.com.

McGregor will essay a Rolling Stone reporter, while Saldana will portray Frances Davis, the ex-wife of Davis.

Cheadle said at the American Film Market that the movie wouldn't be a traditional biopic.

"Let's kill that term, Ok? I hope with this film we can kill the biopic. This film won't try to give a broad overview of Davis' life and give short shrift to this man's story," he said.

"For us as creative people, the time of his life that was most interesting was the five years when he wasn't playing, when he was silent. What was going on in his mind? And how did he come out of it and return to music?" Cheadle added.

The movie is expected to go on floors next summer, however, no release date has been finalised yet.