Gary Oldman is a brave man.

Not only is he taking a role previously played by Sir Alec Guiness, but one from a damn fine show to boot!

According to the Daily Mail, Oldman (BATMAN films, HARRY POTTER)is in discussions to play George Smiley, an agent in MI6 that is the central character of John Le Carre’s Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. A role Guiness masterfully played in the BBC mini-series from 1979.

A modern masterpiece in which le Carré expertly creates a total vision of a secret world, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy begins George Smiley’s chess match of wills and wits with Karla, his Soviet counterpart.

It is now beyond doubt that a mole, implanted decades ago by Moscow Centre, has burrowed his way into the highest echelons of British Intelligence. His treachery has already blown some of its most vital operations and its best networks. It is clear that the double agent is one of its own kind. But which one? George Smiley is assigned to identify him. And once identified, the traitor must be destroyed.

In addtion to Oldman, Colin Firth, Michael Fassbender and David Thewlis are among the actors that have been approached for other roles.That could be a hell of a cast, if things go right.

This new project will be for the big screen, with Tomas Alfredson directing a screenplay by Peter Morgan.

Alfredson directed the outstanding LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, while Morgan penned THE QUEEN.