Travolta to star in 'Pelham' remake

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Hollywood actor John Travolta is in negotiations to star opposite Denzel Washington in the remake of "The Taking of Pelham 123," Variety.com reported Friday.

The film is to be produced and dirfected by Tony Scott, who previously directed Washington in "Man on Fire" and "Deja Vu."

Washington will be seen next week in "American Gangster," directed by Tony's brother, Ridley.

In "Pelham," Washington plays the chief detective of security for the subway, the trade paper said.

Travolta is set to play the leader of a group hijackers who take over a New York City subway train and threaten to kill passengers unless a ransom is paid.

This would be Travolta's first bad-guy role since he played a villain in "The Punisher" in 2004.

Travolta, known for his performances in "Grease" and "Pulp Fiction," was last seen in drag as Edna Turnblad in the movie musical, "Hairspray."

Production on "Pelham," a remake of Joseph Sargent's 1974 film, is expected to begin early next year.