LOS ANGELES: Actor James Marsden has been offered a role that was originally for late actor Paul Walker in an upcoming film by novelist, screenwriter and producer Nicholas Sparks.

The 40-year-old has been approached to play the lead role in “The Best Of Me,” an adaptation of Sparks’ best-seller of the same name, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

If things turn out positive, Marsden will work alongside actress Michelle Monaghan.

Marsden’s recent roles are notable for their variety. His films in 2013 included Anchorman 2: The Legend Continues, Lee Daniels’ The Butler, 2 Guns, As Cool as I Am, and NBC’s 30 Rock. This year, he’ll be seen in the comedy Walk of Shame opposite Elizabeth Banks, the thriller The Loft with Karl Urban, the actioner Endangered with Billy Bob Thornton, and the dramedy Welcome to Me with Kristen Wiig. The X-Men alum seems like a good pick to replace Walker, especially as he’s no stranger to Sparks’ brand of crowd-pleasing soapiness. A decade ago, he co-starred in The Notebook alongside Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams.