Bill Nighy set to star in new Dad's Army movie

Nighy takes on Sgt. Wilson and Toby Jones will play Captain Mainwaring

Jess Denham
Monday 28 April 2014 14:25 BST
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Classic British sitcom Dad's Army is to be made into a new feature film starring Bill Nighy and Toby Jones.

Nighy is set to play witty silent type Sergeant Wilson, while Jones will take on the role of pompous Captain Mainwaring.

Oliver Parker (Johnny English Reborn, St Trinian's) is directing and Hamish McColl has written the script, according to The Sunday Times.

Jimmy Perry, who penned the original series, will be producing the movie, which has "been in the air for a long time".

“Up to now I haven’t taken it too seriously,” the 90-year-old told BBC Radio 5 Live. “When I signed the contract to release the film rights, one provision was that I didn’t have to write anything, I didn’t have to do anything. I’m letting them get on with it.”

Bafta-winning Damian Jones (The Iron Lady) is also on board to produce and has praised the “universal appeal” of Dad’s Army.

The hit TV comedy, based on a Home Guard unit of men ineligible for WWII combat duty, ran for nine series and 80 episodes from 1968 to 1977.

Arthur Lowe, John LeMesurier, Arnold Ridley and John Laurie were among the cast members.

In 2004, Dad’s Army came fourth in a BBC poll asking viewers to choose Britain’s best sitcom. There has been one other movie adaptation, directed by Norman Cohen and released in 1971 with the same actors.

Read more: Dad's Army actor Bill Pertwee dies aged 86

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