Michael Chiklis to play Jason Statham's nemesis in 'Parker'

Michael Chiklis has signed up to the crime thriller Parker.

The actor joins Jason Statham, who will be playing the titular anti-hero, Deadline reports.

No Ordinary Family's Chiklis will star as a criminal who finds himself in a battle with Statham's Parker.

Parker - to be directed by Taylor Hackford - is based on a series of novels about the eponymous character by Donald E Westlake.

Jennifer Lopez, last seen in The Back Up Plan, is still in talks for a leading role in the adaptation.

Chiklis also starred in long-running police drama The Shield as the corrupt cop Vic Mackey. He picked up Emmy and Golden Globe awards for his performance.

The Shield creator Shawn Ryan said he was interested in making a feature-length version of the series in May.

Ryan said: "Michael Chiklis and I talk about [a film] at times. [But] I'm always reluctant to talk too much about it in the press because I wouldn't want to give fans false hope."