Ray Winstone is attached to play no-nonsense policeman Jack Regan in the film adaptation of the 1970's T.V. show The Sweeney.
Writer/Director Nick Love has had some difficulty getting this vehicle going after a halt to production back in 2008.
Vertigo Films have no stepped up to take the wheel, and Love is now writing a fresh screenplay for the cop drama.
The original TV series starred John Thaw as Jack Regan and ran for three seasons in the 1970s, with Dennis Waterman as his partner George Carter.
The hard-hitting grit of the TV version will no doubt survive in Nick Love's version, given the tone of his previous films.
In our opinion, Winstone is just the man to step into John Thaw's shoes. No word yet on a role for Danny Dyer...
Happy about the return of the Flyin' Squad? Let us know below...
Comments
Hadouken76
Aug 20th 2010, 17:32
Knowing Love has 'Previous' with his demograph, Nuts and Zoo magzine readers will be on the edge of thier knuckles with anticipation
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MrSmith70
Aug 20th 2010, 17:52
Here, I heard this like 2 years ago when Jonathan Ross interviewed Ray on his show....
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irishbrian
Aug 20th 2010, 20:30
I HAVE NOTHING TO SAY, Hadouken76, HAS SAID IT ALL... RESPECT SIR.
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paulfurniss1
Aug 21st 2010, 5:39
superb, Ray will be great in this role.
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fuzzydunlop1
Aug 21st 2010, 6:37
Winstone's getting too old (sorry, fella). Can I suggest Liam Cunningham?
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agentblackacid
Aug 21st 2010, 12:19
Sorry fuzzydunlop1 but I'm completely baffled by your statement that Winstone is 'too old' to play this role considering he was born in 1957 and Liam Cunningham born in 1961. Surely 4 years isn't going to make that much difference? From what I saw of The Sweeney (being too young to watch it at the time) this is perfect casting, Ray Winstone is nails and with all due respect to the late John Thaw, he'll make the original Sweeney look like Playschool.
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fuzzydunlop1
Aug 22nd 2010, 5:50
@agentblackacid That's a fair point. Having been around when the original was on, I honestly feel Cunningham would be a better fit. The role of Regan is a fairly physical one. Ray will have to hit the gym! I just can't see him doing it justice. But he will sell tickets. I hope I'm proven wrong. Tom Hardy for Carter!
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Area51
Aug 25th 2010, 23:23
Winstone just doesn't cut it now. He's become a 'Professional Cockney'. He's like Danny Dyer on a spud diet. Also is he a big enough name? Yeah, ok The Departed and Cold Mountain aside, but he's also done Edge of Darkness with Sugart**s and that hardly raked it in....
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