Coogan stars in $100m Jules Verne epic

Steve Coogan is to play Phileas Fogg in a new film version of Around The World In Eighty Days.

He will star opposite action hero Jackie Chan in the $100million adaptation of the Jules Verne novel.

The part will be his biggest yet, his first Hollywood starring role after toplining British films The Parole Officer and 24 Hour Party People.

Production work starts next month in Germany, trade website Screendaily reports.

The 19th century adventure movie will be directed by Frank Coraci, whose previous work includes Adam Sandler's The Wedding Singer.

The news comes just two days after it was announced that the Alan Partridge creator will also play Samuel Pepys in a BBC2 drama about the diarist.

Published: 12 Feb 2003