Sacha Baron Cohen is acquiring quite the cast for his quirky sounding football hooligan comedy 'Grimsby', with Johnny Vegas, Ian McShane, Homeland star David Harewood and Oscar-nominated Gabourey Sidibe all signing on the dotted line. We already know that Mark Strong is heading up the cast, playing a spy who's forced to team up with his football hooligan brother - played by Cohen - after going on the run.

Sacha Baron CohenSacha Baron Cohen at a BAFTAs event in Grimsby

Cohen has been spotted in a Grimsby Town shirt at a game last year and has been shooting scenes at Southend United's Roots Hall. He was also thrown out of Wembley Stadium for hooliganism during England's 3-0 victory over Peru.

Cohen is co-writing the screenplay with American screenwriter Phil Johnston and Peter Baynham. According to the Guardian, Wreck-It Ralph and Cedar Rapids writer Johnston has been visiting locations in the north east to get inspiration for the script. The director of Grimsby, Louis Leterrier, had a surprise hit last year with Now You See Me - starring Cohen's wife Isla Fisher.

Baron Cohen was in the headlines last year after pulling out of the Freddie Mercury biopic over an apparent dispute with the members of Queen. The role will now be played by Bond actor Ben Whishaw. 

More: Freddie Mercury biopic parts ways with Dexter Fletcher