James Norton lands first Hollywood role in remake of 1990 film Flatliners

James Norton has landed his first big Hollywood role after being cast in the forthcoming remake of Flatliners.

The War and Peace star, who has become a small screen favourite, is set to crack the US in Sony’s retelling of the famous story.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Norton, 30, will star alongside Ellen Page, Diego Luna and Nina Dobrev.

The original film, which starred Julia Roberts, Kiefer Sutherland and Kevin Bacon became a cult hit when it was released back in 1990.

Following a group of medical students who attempt to explore the afterlife through near-death experiments, the supernatural thriller was originally directed by Joel Schumacher.

The remake will be helmed by Girl With the Dragon Tattoo director Neils Arden Oplev and produced by Michael Douglas and Laurence Mark.

Norton, who is best known to British audiences for his roles in Happy Valley and Granchester, is also rumoured to be in the running to take over from Daniel Craig as James Bond.

While stars including Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba and Damian Lewis are still frontrunners, odds on the Cambridge-educated actor have been slashed in recent months.

A number of cult 1990s films are in the process of being remade for modern audiences, including Jumanji, Drop Dead Fred and IT.