Star Trek actor Chris Pine is reportedly in negotiations to star in a remake of spy thriller The Saint.

The film is based on the 1920s books of the same name and features the character Simon Templar, a benevolent thief for hire around the world.

In the 1960s, The Saint was a successful TV series with Roger Moore, while there have been numerous big-screen adaptations, most recently in 1997 with Val Kilmer.

A new version is currently in development at Paramount, with Rocketman's Dexter Fletcher already signed up to direct.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Pine is in talks to take on the role of Templar and views it as the "perfect" project while development of a fourth Star Trek movie continues.

A production start date for the film is up in the air due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis.