Billy Liar remake to be set in US

A contemporary version of classic movie Billy Liar is being planned for the big screen.

The rights to the 1963 film have been bought up by a production company in the US.

Lead character Billy Fisher will be an American hero rather than from Bradford, as he was in the original.

But producer Paul Kaufman has pledged his version will stay faithful to the spirit of the original.

He told the Bradford Telegraph & Argus: "It will be a contemporary version set in the US. We respect the original film and hope to keep its integrity."

The movie, which revolves around the idle dreamer lying his way through a mundane life, is being penned by Oscar nominee Will Rokos.

Rokos was nominated for an Oscar at this year's Academy Awards for writing Monster's Ball.