The film based on Richard Osman's hit novel begins shooting this summer

'The Thursday Murder Club' has been a huge hit since its publication, turning its writer Richard Osman from 'That tall guy off 'Pointless'' into a bestselling author.

The 2021 book has been so successful that it has spawned several sequels - and now the original is set to be adapted for the big screen.

The story centres around a group of four pensioners in a retirement home in England, who meet on Thursdays to investigate cold case murders in a sleepy village.

Osman revealed three of the four main cast members this week on his 'The Rest is Entertainment' podcast, co-hosted with journalist Marina Hyde. He announced that Irish actor and former Bond star Pierce Brosnan, Helen Mirren and Ben Kingsley in the roles of Ron, Elizabeth and Ibrahim, respectively.

"I’m now allowed to officially announce, three of the four members of The Thursday Murder Club," he said. "So anyway, Elizabeth is going to be played by the person who people most often shout at me in the streets as them wanting to play Elizabeth; so, Elizabeth is going to be played by Helen Mirren. Very exciting."

He added: "Joyce, we’re still in negotiations - but again, the name is the one that people most shout at me in the street. Ibrahim is Ben Kingsley, so you’ve got Helen Mirren, Ben Kingsley... And then for Ron. Ron, for people who haven’t read the book, is a real sort of left-wing bruiser, ex-union official. So Ron is going to be played by - I’m gonna say the most handsome man in the world, so he’s gonna have to dull himself down a bit - Ron is going to be played by Pierce Brosnan."

Shooting on the film begins in the UK in June, while the film will be directed by 'Harry Potter', 'Mrs. Doubtfire' and 'Home Alone' director Chris Columbus.

As for the name that Osman has hinted is in the running for Joyce? Social media has some ideas...