‘Little Britain’ & ‘Cruise Of The Gods’ Helmer Declan Lowney To Direct Alan Partridge Movie

Of the many characters he's played over the years, Steve Coogan's Alan Patridge remains the most beloved. The consistently lame, earnestly insecure and narcissitic talk show host has spawned two radio series, three TV stints, a book and more recently the new webseries "Mid Morning Matters." Since last year, Coogan has been promising that the anticipated Alan Partridge feature film would shoot in 2012 and it looks like the pieces are coming together for that to happen.

BBC Films has hired Declan Lowney to direct "The Alan Partridge Movie" which is gearing up to lens this fall. Lowney is veteran of Brit TV and film circles, having helmed episodes of popular shows like "Father Ted" and "Little Britain." But most crucially, he has worked with Coogan before. He directed Coogan (along with Rob Brydon) in the TV movie comedy "Cruise Of The Gods" as well as in the short "Paul and Pauline Calf’s Cheese and Ham Sandwich." So he knows exactly what Coogan and co. will be looking for in terms of tone for the picture.

Penned by a stable of writers including Coogan, longtime friends and collaborators Pete Baynham ("Borat") and Armando Ianucci ("Into The Loop," "Veep") as well as Rob and Neil Gibbons, the details on the story are being kept locked up tight. However, Coogan did spill a few bits of information earlier this year saying, "…there's quite a large event in a small town. And Alan is not the protagonist. He's…an unwilling participant." Intriguing.

Steve Coogan hasn't exactly been well served by his American crossover attempts, but hopefully this will be the one to break out on both sides of the Atlantic. We'll soon see. [THR]