That sound you hear is a copper brown Ford Cortina revving its engine with a growl. Why? The film version of The Sweeney is back in action and Ray Winstone is still attached as Jack Regan.
After more than one false start (and a grinding halt back in 2008), writer/director Nick Love is gearing back up to make a film based on the classic '70s police show that saw John Thaw and Dennis Waterman dishing out tough justice to the crooks and thugs of London long before the world knew who Gene Hunt was.
Love has been trying to get the movie motoring for years now. The biggest problem has been rights holders DNA Films, which got cold feet about some casting and budget issues. But now the necessary permissions are in the hands of Vertigo Films, which has him cranking out a fresh draft of the script.
Besides the director, Winstone has been the one constant for the film as various possibilities for Regan’s partner, George Carter, have floated by. Including, most recently, Daniel Craig. No one is yet attached to play Carter, but if the rumours about wish lists of young British actors lining up for the chance are true, we doubt there’ll be much trouble finding someone to fill the role.
That said, we won’t believe a Sweeney film is on the way until we see a picture of Winstone nicking some scumbag while downing a pint.