John Cleese has signed on to play a role in the movie adaptation of 'Spud'.

"I received the scream-worthy news that John Cleese had officially signed the dotted line to play The Guv," wrote John van de Ruit on his blog earlier this month.

'Spud' author van der Ruit confirmed that the 'Monty Python' star would be playing the role of The Guv.

Van de Ruit, who is also adapting the film's screenplay, revealed that the role of 'Spud' would be played by South African-born actor Troye Sivan, who starred as a young Logan in the 'X-Men: Origins' film.

The 14-year-old singer and actor was born in Johannesburg, but currently resides in Australia.

According to van de Ruit, the casting process has almost been completed, with a nationwide talent search being undertaken to fill the other teenage roles.

The entirely privately-financed film is greenlit to begin shooting this March.

Van de Ruit also said that he has had little time to cast his mind to the final book in the wildly popular series. "I'm often asked when the final Spud might magically appear in a bookstore round the corner," he wrote. "Unfortunately I cannot answer that yet. Rest assured, as soon as I know, I'll let you know."

The best-selling novels in the 'Spud' series capture life at a private boarding school in KwaZulu-Natal through the "initimate diary" of the title character, John "Spud" Milton.