Sir Roger Moore to co-produce new `The Saint` television movie

20-Mar-2008 • Actor News

Original Saint star Roger Moore is to co-produce a new two-hour TV movie of the show, according to a BBC report.

The independently-produced pilot could be the basis of a new series, said industry paper The Hollywood Reporter.

British actor James Purefoy, who starred in the BBC historical drama Rome, is said to be in talks to play leading character Simon Templar.

Filming on the movie is expected to start next month in locations including Budapest and Puerto Rico.

Casting for other major roles in the pilot are under way, including Templar's love interest Patricia Holm.

Moore, who played Templar in the popular 1960s series, is working alongside other producers including his son Geoffrey.

One of the team is Bill Macdonald, who has been associated with The Saint since 1991 after acquiring the rights to the original books by Leslie Charteris.

Simon Templar was brought back to the big screen in 1997 by Hollywood actor Val Kilmer, but only one film was made.

Macdonald told the Hollywood Reporter that he wanted to bring some of Templar's "great lines and situation humour" into the new incarnation.

Moore was seen as The Saint on ITV from 1962-69, and in the US during two periods in the 1960s.

He produced and directed several of the original episodes.

Thanks to `Q` for the alert.