Charlie Hunnam "genuinely loves" David Beckham.

He told E! News: "I thought [David] Beckham was a secret but I guess everyone's talking about it now. Unless you just are tricking me and I'm the one that's putting the secret out.

"[David] Beckham was awesome. I mean, I genuinely love that guy. I loved working with him. He was great."

David's role has not been revealed, but a source previously said: "There's going to be a version of the scene where Excalibur gets drawn from the stone. This is where Beckham factors in.

"There's a little bit of a sense that Beckham's character, who fancies himself as a big player in this story, gets a little ticked off when this other fellow, this upstart, is the one who can free the sword."

David, 41, is good friends with director Guy and jumped at the chance to take on a part in the movie, which stars Charlie, 36, as the titular character with Eric Bana as his father Uther Pendragon.

Jude Law is lined up as villain Vortigern and Astrid Bergès-Frisbey will portray Arthur's significant other Guinevere.

The story tells of Arthur being unaware of his destiny at first until he stumbles upon the mighty sword Excalibur.

After meeting Guinevere, he then sets about taking his rightful place on the throne, but evil Vortigern stands in his way.