Alexander Skarsgard Reveals Why He Wanted to Join 'The Legend of Tarzan'

— -- Alexander Skarsgard is taking on the role of King of the Jungle in "The Legend of Tarzan."

The actor stopped by "Good Morning America" today, revealing that he wanted to play Tarzan because of his father, fellow actor Stellan Skarsgard.

"That’s pretty much the only reason I wanted to do the movie – to make my father happy," Skarsgard said. "That's how I was introduced to Tarzan, kind of fell in love with the character and the jungle by watching those movies with my dad when I was a kid."

In the film, Tarzan doesn't start out wearing a loincloth. Instead, he's John Clayton -- dressed in clothes and at home with his wife Jane.

"It's almost the opposite of the old movies and the novel is the ape man growing up in the jungle," Skarsgard said. "That's all in 'The Legend of Tarzan' as well, but it's told in flashbacks. The main story line is you meet John...he's been in London with his wife Jane for 10 years almost and then he returns to the jungle, so it's more about the animal within and slowly letting that come out."

"The Legend of Tarzan" opens nationwide July 1.