Could Daniel Craig be getting a chance to play George Carter? If new rumours about possible casting developments on The Sweeney are to be believed, then yes.
Trouble is, the rumours themselves have come flying straight out of the annoying gob (well, keyboard) of Daily Mail columnist Richard Littlejohn, not exactly the most respected source for film info. So take the idea that the actor will be slipping into the part of Carter alongside still-apparently-attached Ray Winstone as Jack Regan with the biggest lump of salt you can find.
Based on the cult classic ‘70s police show, The Sweeney is turning into a nightmare for Fox Searchlight, which has been trying to get the film made for ages. Back in 2008, Winstone was even starting to shoot the film as Regan, with Nick Love directing. But even with a relatively low $16 million budget at stake, the company was forced to throw on the handbrake when co-producers DNA Films got cold feet on the idea of Michael Fassbender as Carter, worried that he wasn't well known enough to attract audiences. Bet they’d reconsider given Fassbender’s status these days!
And there’s more: according to Oneindia Entertainment, a whole host of names is being suggested, with Ewan McGregor, Tom Hardy and Orlando Bloom all said to have expressed interest in the Carter role. But what this really sounds like to us is the filmmakers throwing up a wish list of likely talent who could bring name recognition to the film to back up Winstone. Plus it could all be so much reheated rumour tosh.
The Sweeney, meanwhile, remains stuck in the development nick, wondering when it’ll ever have a chance at the screen.