James Earl Jones reportedly has agreed to play Big Daddy in a Broadway revival of Tennessee Williams' Pulitzer-winning drama, "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." All the characters in the production reportedly will be played by African-Americans.

Though originally announced to begin previews in February, the revival now has delayed to autumn 1996, according to a source in the production.

Jones has appeared in many acclaimed plays, including "The Great White Hope" and "Fences." He also did the voice of Darth Vader in the "Star Wars" trilogy, and serves as TV pitchman for the Bell Atlantic Yellow Pages. No other cast members have been announced.

Williams' drama is the story of a Southern plantation patriarch, Big Daddy, who dislikes his unctuous son Gooper. But Big Daddy finds he may have no choice but to leave the land to Gooper because his favored son, Brick, is constantly drunk and refuses to have relations with his wife, Maggie, that would result in a future heir. Maggie, who loves Brick, struggles to discover what terrible demon has taken control of her husband's life and quenched his libido.

When the ailing Big Daddy makes it clear that it's no-baby, no-plantation, Maggie's quest becomes urgent. No theatre or dates have yet been announced.