Catherine Zeta Jones cast in Dad's Army movie

Actress Catherine Zeta Jones.

Bill Nighy and Catherine Zeta Jones are among the big names to have been cast in a big screen remake of hit World War II sitcom, Dad's Army.

Jones, 45, will play Rose Winters, a glamourous journalist sent to fictional British town Walmington-on-Sea to report on the exploits of the Home Guard platoon, before MI5 discovers that a German spy is hiding among the ranks.

Directed by Bafta nominee Oliver Parker, the film will feature Nighy as Sergeant Wilson, Toby Jones as Captain Mainwaring, Tom Courtenay as Corporal Jones and Michael Gambon as Private Godfrey.

Blake Harrison from The Inbetweeners has signed up to play Pike, Danny Mays will star as Walker and Bill Paterson is taking on the role of Frazer.

Clive Dunn who starred in the television series Dad's Army.

Mark Gatiss, Sarah Lancashire, Alison Steadman and Annette Crosbie will also appear in as-yet-unspecified roles.

David Croft and Jimmy Perry's original TV series ran from 1968 to 1977 and is often thought of as one of Britain's most iconic comedies.

Dad's Army cast the original cast of hit sitcom Dad's Army in 1970.

Hamish McColl, who penned Johnny English Reborn and Mr Bean's Holiday, has written the script, with shooting scheduled to begin in Yorkshire later this month.

Fans of Dad's Army may be dubious about the forthcoming movie, but expect to hear many of the sitcom's most-loved catchphrases again soon, from Mainwaring's "You stupid boy!" to Wilson's "Do you think that's wise, Sir?" and Frazer's "We're doomed!"

The opening credits to the original Dad's Army tv show:

- Independent