Universal Pictures has cast its lead for the big screen version of the 1970s television drama Kojak.
Hollywood action star Vin Diesel will take on the role made famous by Greek-American Telly Savalas. Diesel may not be Greek, but his bald head and tough-guy attitude seemed to make him the right choice for the film even though Savalas’ heritage was a key part of the storyline.
Savalas became a household name playing NYC Detective Theo Kojak. The show aired on television from 1973-1978. Telly’s brother, George, also starred alongside him as Detective Stavros.
Diesel, 45, is an NYC native and has starred in blockbusters, including the Fast and Furious series. Kojak is being written by Robert Wade and Neal Purvis, who are behind the last five James Bond films. Production is still in the early stages and no release date has been set yet.
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