STEVE MARTIN - STEVE MARTIN OFFERED ROLE OF CLOUSEAU

American funnyman STEVE MARTIN has been offered the role of bumbling INSPECTOR CLOUSEAU in the new PINK PANTHER movie.

The BRINGING DOWN THE HOUSE star would replace the late PETER SELLERS, who played Clouseau to great comedic acclaim in the 1970's.

In the new film, called THE BIRTH OF THE PINK PANTHER, Clouseau is assigned to solve the murder of the nation's football team coach, while also investigating the disappearance of the Pink Panther diamond.

The script has been penned by PRIVATE PARTS writer LEN BLUM and is scheduled to begin shooting next year (04).