The Sweeney film, Big Hitters and Rap Stars
Plan B teams up with Ray Winstone in a big screen reboot of the hit british TV Show.
Plan B and Ray Winstone
After a very thin weekend of movie watching, I was really struggling in something to post today. But upon arriving home my good wife pointed out some news that was on her Facebook news feed. Not only is one of the most iconic British TV Crime shows being made into a silver screen film, but, two of my favourite British stars are going to be in the main roles.
The larger than life Ray Winstone, who is a total legend in my eyes and without him in London Boulevard I would have definitely been asleep! Also rising rap/soul star Plan B aka Ben Drew, so good in the Michael Caine flick “Harry Brown”.
Here is an extract from the BBC News article….
Drew will play George Carter, the role Dennis Waterman played in the original ITV series about London’s Flying Squad, in Vertigo Films’ contemporary update.
Winstone has been cast as Jack Regan, the role played by the late John Thaw.
Drew said working with Winstone on the project – which starts shooting in the autumn – was “a dream come true”.
The 27-year-old enjoyed chart-topping success last year with his second studio album, The Defamation of Strickland Banks.
The Sweeney will be directed by Nick Love, whose previous films include The Football Factory and The Firm.
The British film-maker said he was “very excited” about Drew’s involvement. “For me, Ray and Ben are the ultimate casting for a character-driven action thriller set in London today,” he added.
Created by Ian Kennedy Martin, The Sweeney ran from 1975 to 1978 and spawned two feature-length films.
I am really excited about this news. The Sweeney spawns all sorts of memories, whether it is the theme tune that every Brit of a certain age will gladly recite (God I hope they keep it in the film), or the excited and over the top shouts of “You’re Nicked” and “GO GO GO!!!”
With Winstone and Drew behind the wheel we are in pretty safe hands, but until I hear more about the story I am trying (honestly I am) to stay on the fence.
Scott Lawlor
Seems like a lot of BBC shows are being made into movies, eh? I was gonna write about The Professionals which is another BBC show back in the 70s I think. You like Ray Winstone eh? I haven't seen enough of his films but of the ones I did, he's indeed a great actor. He plays gangsters a lot doesn't he?
I do like a bit of the Winstone. I think it is just a boy searching for a strong father type to fill a gap left by mine!! (or lack of mine)
He does play gangsters a lot but he does it so well.
I smell a post coming on!!
C
I've never heard of this series before, I suppose it was way before my time…
It sounds great though and it's opening theme is pretty awesome, I might just have to get my hands of the complete collection if it really is so good. I do love Gangster films…
Winstone is great, I thought he was particularly good in The Proposition, and Australian Western that I really recommend!
Yeah Jack The Propostion he was über in!! (that was very bad english)
I recommend seeing The Sweeney if you do get a chance. It may not have aged so well, but is a good chunk of british culture.
C
although the genre is totally not something I'd watch, I know how crime shows are popular among general audience, and plus I do love Plan B quite a lot so it will be interesting to see him acting. A lovely chap he is!
And Ray is just a legend by himself!
Over at BBC I mostly prefer BEING HUMAN and MERLIN. I love me a bit of magic
Hi Dezmond,
Thanks so much for popping over to my little humble house.
Plan B is awesome, love his work! Have you seen Harry Brown? He is very scary in that one that is for sure!!
I have never got around to watching Being Human, is it very good?
oooh, it is, I think you would like BEING HUMAN, the British version off course, not the weak American version. It’ s a show which really has that charming and cool British vibe.
I will see if I can hunt out a boxset then…:) Tanks for the heads up!