Big screen Beckham

David Beckham looks set to make his big screen debut in the "Pink Panther".

12:32 26 March 2004

David Beckham looks set to make his big screen debut in the "Pink Panther".

While he unsurprisingly featured in "Bend it Like Beckham" - only archive footage was used and the superstar was not required to act.

However England's No. 7 will probably not have to stretch too far if he takes on the new role - he is set to play a footballer.

The MGM project is a remake of the 1963 Peter Sellers classic. In it police investigate the killing of a famous football coach and the theft of the Pink Panther diamond.

Talks with Beckham rest on solving scheduling conflicts caused by his move to Real Madrid.

Other people lined up for the film include Steve Martin, who will play Inspector Clouseau, Kevin Kline, Beyonce Knowles and Jean Reno.

Filming will begin in May for a July 2005 release.