Gerard Butler is being lined up to play a secret agent in a big-screen version of The Professionals. The Scots actor is favourite to land a role as Bodie or Doyle, originally portrayed by Martin Shaw and Lewis Collins in the 1970s TV show.
Liam Neeson and Gary Oldman are being touted to play their bad-tempered CI5 boss, George Cowley. RocknRolla star Butler, 41, faces competition from fellow Britons Tom Hardy and Jason Statham.
Film company Lionsgate UK has acquired rights to the series, which ran for five series on ITV. Chief executive Zygi Kamasa said: "We really felt there was an opportunity for a bigger British action film. The ambition is to make a powerful movie with the best of British talent.
"We all grew up with it in the Seventies, so the idea of bringing it back for the big screen is perfect."
Production on the remake, which has yet to find a director, is set to begin this autumn.
Butler has also been linked to the role of evil General Zod in Superman. The role would reunite the Scots actor with Zack Snyder, the director of his swords-and-sandals hit 300.
He is currently filming Playing the Field with Jessica Biel and Uma Thurman.
Source: Scotsman
YUM! One can never have too much Gerry, I always say. ;)
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