Oliver Parker is to direct a British cast in a feature film adaptation of the popular comedy Dad's Army. Universal Pictures have picked up the movie, which will star Bill Nighy, Catherine Zeta Jones, Tom Courtenay, Michael Gambon and Harry Potter star Toby Jones.

Catherine Zeta JonesCatherine Zeta-Jones will star in a movie adaptation of 'Dad's Army'

The feature film is being written by Hamish McColl, who penned Mr. Bean's Holiday and Johnny English Reborn, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

"It is 1944 and World War II is reaching its climax," the synopsis reads, "The Allies are poised to invade France and finally defeat the German army. But in Walmington-on-Sea morale amongst the Home Guard is low. Their new mission then - to patrol the Dover army base - is a great chance to revive spirits and reputation, that is until glamorous journalist Rose Winters arrives to write about their exploits, setting the pulses racing and putting the local women on red alert."

More: Check out our Catherine Zeta-Jones

"MI5 then discover a radio signal sent direct to Berlin from Walmington-on-Sea. There's a spy on the loose! The outcome of the war is suddenly at stake, and it falls to our unlikely heroes to stand up and be counted."

Bill NighyBill Nighy will also star in 'Dad's Army'

The original series, about the Home Guard during the Second World War, ran for 9 series and 80 episodes in total. It regularly gained audiences of 18 million and is often considered as one of the finest British sitcoms of all time. 

The cast for the new movie also includes The Inbetweeners actor Blake Harrison as the hapless Pike, while Atonement's Danny Mays plays Walker. The award-winning Sarah Lancashire, actress Alison Steadman, Mark Gatiss and Annette Crosbie will also appear. 

Shooting on the movie commences in October in Yorkshire, with a release date likely for late 2015.

More: Is Bill Nighy still one of Britain's best actors?