Wilson to play role of comic book writer

Owen Wilson's latest role is as a comic book writer living in a fantasy world. Picture / Reuters

Hollywood actor Owen Wilson is to star as a comic book writer living in a fantasy world in a remake of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

Wilson will recreate the legendary role made famous in the 1947 comedy by Danny Kaye.

In the original movie, Mitty is a daydreamer with an overprotective mother who imagines himself as a hero living a life of great heroism.

He then meets a mysterious woman who brings with her a series of real-life adventures.

But the while the remake will revive the daydreaming lead character, the storyline will change dramatically - Mitty falls for the daughter of a bank robber, rather than getting caught up in a plot involving hidden jewels.