Sylvester Stallone is in talks to direct and star in a remake of 1974 vigilante drama Death Wish.

News of an updated version of the movie follows Stallone's recent sequels to his successful franchises Rocky and Rambo.

The original film, which spawned four sequels, starred Charles Bronson as a family man who turns vigilante when his wife and daughter are murdered by street punks.

The script is expected to be written by Michael Ferris and John Brancato, whose credits include Terminator 3 and Terminator Salvation: The Future Begins.

According to Variety, MGM is keen to start production on the movie before March amid concerns about the current writers' strike in Hollywood.

MGM chief operating officer Rick Sands said: "We are looking at our library to determine which potential franchise properties make the most sense for us to produce, and Death Wish was clearly one of that jumped out. We hope to get a deal done with Sylvester Stallone to direct and star, and like the Rocky and Rambo films, we see this as another potential franchise for him."