Dec 18, 2012 10:50 AM EST

Vin Diesel to Play Kojak in Upcoming Film

A big movie adaptation of the 70's cop show "Kojak" is underway with Vin Diesel playing the lollypop sucking detective made famous by the late Telly Savalas. Not only will the "Riddick" star be taking the leading role, he will also be producing the movie.

Script writing is already under way with writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, who are fresh from success as writers of the latest James Bond movie "Skyfall".

2013 seems like it will be a busy year for Vin Diesel with the sixth installment of the "Fast and Furious" franchise being released in May, as well as the third "Riddick" movie due to hit theaters later in the year.

Countdown to the release of Kojak, with the iPhone Movie Countdown Clock App.