Brighton Rock, the movie classic which put the resort's underworld in the spotlight, is to be remade - as a Bollywood-style extravaganza.

The 1947 gangster flick, based on Graham Greene's novel, is to be given a modern makeover by a team of Indian writers and Hollywood producers.

Virtually all the filming will be done in Brighton and cameras are due to start rolling early next year.

Richard (now Lord) Attenborough made his movie debut starring as teenage thug Pinkie Brown in the original production, alongside Hermione Baddeley and ex-Doctor Who William Hartnell.

The new movie is being made by Intermedia Films, based in Los Angeles, whose most recent hits include Sliding Doors and The Wedding Planner, starring Jennifer Lopez.

Although Intermedia are tight-lipped on who will star in the film, they promise it will be a big name.

An insider said: "There are a lot of unexplored opportunities with Brighton Rock. You had Graham Greene's book and an interpretation of that book in the first film, and now we have the opportunity to update it.

"We have got some big names lined up. The lead role for the male has the potential to be someone huge and we're currently in contract discussions.

"On the other hand, the female role has to be played by someone who is a bit mysterious, an unknown quantity.

"We will begin filming when it brightens up in spring next year. We will be basing a lot of the action in Brighton and it will all be done outside."

Bollywood-style films have become hot property in Los Angeles and the UK. That's why Intermedia drafted in Hackney-born director Asif Kapadia, who has created a number of movies with an Indian theme.

He will be working with big time producers Terrence Malick and Grant Hill, who between them have been behind the Titanic, The Thin Red Line and, more recently, the documentary Shackleton.

They plan to stay close to the original script, which was controversial at the time because of the on-screen violence.

The story is set in the criminal underworld of Brighton where a murder by small-time gang leader Pinkie sets off a disastrous chain of events.