News broke in the summer last year of a new movie based on classic TV series The Sweeney with Ray Winstone cast as Jack Regan (played originally by the late great John Thaw) but since then it’s been all quiet on the Sweeney front until today!
Vertigo Films have just sent us the news that Brit Award winner Plan B aka Ben Drew who starred in Harry Brown opposite Michael Caine has been cast in the movie as George Carter originally played by Dennis Waterman.
The Sweeney is to be directed by Nick Love who has previously brought us The Football Factory and The Firm. Shooting will begin August this year.
Read on for the official press release + a couple of images.
Ben Drew signs up to play George Carter in the eagerly awaited feature THE SWEENEY
London: 2nd April 2011
Vertigo Films are proud to announce that 2011 Brit Winner, Ben Drew (Plan B) has signed up to play George Carter in the upcoming movie THE SWEENEY. He will star alongside Ray Winstone, who’ll play Jack Regan in the full-length feature film.
Based on the original ITV cult classic TV show, THE SWEENEY will be a modernization of the London Flying Squad, directed by Nick Love (THE FOOTBALL FACTORY, THE FIRM) and co-written by Bafta Winner John Hodge (TRAINSPOTTING).
Set in present day England, THE SWEENEY will be packed full of fast cars, action and wise cracks as it follows Flying Squad detectives Jack Regan, (originally played John Thaw,) George Carter (original played by Dennis Waterman) and their team, as they work to keep the bad guys down!
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 (Winstone) and Ben are the ultimate casting for a character driven action thriller set in London today.”
Ben Drew adds. “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”
Ray states, “I cant wait to work with Nick Love on The Sweeney, it was an inspired casting to have Ben Drew as George Carter, I’m a huge fan of his. “
