Jason Statham is in talks to take the lead in the remake of camp classic film "Death Race 2000," according to the Hollywood Reporter. Universal is making the pic with a script by Paul W.S. Anderson, who also will direc. Tom Cruise, originally thought to play the lead, will produce.

Statham has made his name in action flicks, most notably "The Transporter" films, "Snatch," and "Crank." The role in "Death Race" wouldn't be much of a jump, especially given his role in "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels," another dark comedy.

The original "Death Race 2000" was part dystopian future, part social statement and cultural satire. Contestants participated in a killer coast-to-coast road race, in which they racked up points for running down innocent (and not-so-innocent) bystanders. In one sequence, doctors wheeled out terminally ill patients to the street in order for the drivers to run them over, then stood back to watch. The driver swerved intentionally and took out the doctors instead, for more points and chuckles from the audience. An update has plenty of potential regarding the comparative worth of some human lives over others, and should be worth a view.