Brit-winning Plan B locked for big screen outing of the Flying Detectives.
Vertigo Films has confirmed that Ben Drew, aka rap act Plan B, is set to star opposite Ray Winstone in the big screen adaptation of the 1970s British TV series ‘The Sweeney.’
The actor/singer has signed up to play George Carter in the upcoming movie; the role was played by Dennis Waterman in the original series. Ray Winstone has long been attached to star as the no-nonsense policeman Jack Regan, a role originally played by the late John Thaw.
Director and co writer Nick Love states, “I’m very excited about Ben playing Carter – he brings an intelligence and sensitivity that is crucial for ‘The Sweeney.’ Ben is also one of the most promising and multi-talented young performers around. For me, Ray and Ben are the ultimate casting for a character driven action thriller set in London today.”
Drew, who previously starred alongside Michael Caine in 2009’s Harry Brown, added: “It’s a dream come true for me to be in a film with Ray Winstone, who is one of my favourite British actors of all time, and I’m really excited about working with Nick Love in what I feel will be a challenging role for me to play.”
Winstone was also full of praise for his multi-talented co-star: “It was an inspired casting to have Ben Drew as George Carter, I’m a huge fan of his,” he added.
Created by Ian Kennedy Martin, The Sweeney ran from 1975 to 1978 and spawned two feature-length films. The original series is credited with revolutionizing the TV cop show genre, portraying the detectives as tough roustabouts who liked a drink and some fisticuffs as much as the criminals they were chasing.
The new movie will be directed by Nick Love, who previously directed ‘The Football Factory,’ ‘The Business,’ and ‘The Firm.’ Love co-wrote the movie with John Hodge (‘Trainspotting’).
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