Vin Diesel to Play KOJAK in Feature Film Scripted by SKYFALL Writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade

Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, two members of the writing team for Skyfall, have been set to pen the Kojak feature for Universal with Vin Diesel attached to star in the title role. The picture is based on the 1970s crime drama television series of the same name, which starred Telly Savalas as a tough and witty New York City detective with a bald head and a penchant for Tootsie Pops. Diesel, who has just wrapped on Fast and Furious 6, will also produce with Samantha Vincent for their Universal-located One Race Films. “Who loves ya, baby?” Hit the jump to find out more.

Deadline reports that Diesel will star as Kojak in a feature length reboot and that Purvis and Wade will pen the adaptation. Kojak ran for five seasons and 125 episodes from 1973 to 1978. Another television adaptation was given a try back in 2005 with Ving Rhames in the lead, but that attempt only lasted one season.

Having written the last four Bond films prior to Skyfall (The World is Not Enough, Die Another Day, Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace) and with the latest attempt approaching $1 billion at the box office, Purvis and Wade my very well have another successful franchise on their hands. There’s no indication as to which direction the team plans on taking Kojak, but Diesel comes with a built-in fan base that could turn out just to see him, even if they’ve never seen the original CBS series.

Is Diesel a good fit for Kojak? Does there need to be a Kojak reboot at all? Let us know in the comments below. You can check out the opening credits for the 70s series here: