Clive Owen to play Philip Marlowe in film

NEW YORK, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- British actor Clive Owen admitted he's a bit intimidated by the idea of playing legendary private eye Philip Marlowe, his next film adventure.

The "Shoot ‘Em Up" and "Sin City" star told reporters in New York that he plans to produce and star in a new entry in the Marlowe franchise based on Raymond Chandler’s novels.

"There's an area that's very daunting because the greats have played him: (Robert) Mitchum and (Humphrey) Bogart," Owen said.

"But I won't be going in there trying to do so something that I think relates to them," he added. "You go in there with a fresh approach, so I never really worry about the history of a project. I wouldn't do 'The Big Sleep.' But you go in and I'll do my interpretation of Marlowe and hope it comes even within the same radar as Bogart's."