A big screen version of classic TV sitcom Dad's Army is to be made, according to reports.

The Sunday Times' arts editor Richard Brooks reported that actor Toby Jones would star as Captain Mainwaring and Bill Nighy would play Sergeant Wilson.

The original ran for nine series from 1968 to 1977 and is regarded as one of Britain's greatest TV comedies.

The show's co-writer Jimmy Perry told BBC 5 live the new film had "been in the air for a long time".

The Sunday Times reported that the film would be directed by Oliver Parker, who made Johnny English Reborn, St Trinian's and Othello starring Sir Kenneth Branagh.

The script will be written by Hamish McColl, who wrote Johnny English Reborn and Mr Bean's Holiday, the paper said.

What a terrible idea. You can't do a Dad's Army film without the original cast playing the characters. It just wouldn't be Dad's Army.
The only way they might get away with it is if they made a Dad's Army-esque film with different characters. (A bit like the recent Italian Job remake).

Given that a few of the original cast (Frank Williams and Ian Lavander) are still alive, I'd be interested in knowing what they make of it.