The Professionals heading for the big screen

Fire up the Ford Capri... a movie version of classic cop show 'The Professionals' is in the offing.

The show's creator, Brian Clemens, says that they are currently looking at potential stars to play the crime-fighting duo Bodie and Doyle.

“It’s going to be a big action movie. The script is done and now we are looking at casting,” the 81-year-old writer told the Daily Mirror.

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“There are some big names being talked about, we just have to make sure they are available.

“Getting the right people is very important, because the show means a lot to the fans.”

It's thought that filming could begin before the end of the year, but it won't be a period project set in the 1970s.

“It’s a huge task to shoot a period film – you’ll always get someone complaining that the wrong sort of phonebox was used in one scene or something. The show can easily fit into the modern day,” he added.

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According to reports, actors being targeted for Bodie include Daniel Craig, Jason Statham and Tom Hardy, while potential Doyles are apparently David Tennant, Dominic West and Benedict Cumberbatch.

To further allay fears of fans of the show, Clemens said: “To any fans worried about the remake, can I just point out I had nothing to do with the Avengers movie in the 1990s. The less said about that, the better.”

The show originally starred Martin Shaw and Lewis Collins and ran over five series and 57 episodes.

Shaw (Doyle) and Collins (Bodie) were law enforcement officers working for the fictional agency CI5, under their formidable handler Cowley, played by Gordon Jackson.

It follows news that 'The Equalizer' is heading into production starring Denzel Washington as freelance vigilante crime fighter Robert McCall.

Is a remake of The Professionals a good idea? Who do you think could fill the boots of Bodie and Doyle?