Winner In Talks For Death Wish: The Musical

Veteran director Michael Winner is in talks to turn his 1974 vigilante classic Death Wish into a stage musical.

The 68-year-old film-maker is hoping he can persuade lyricist Don Black, who won an OSCAR in 1967 for his song BORN FREE and is Winner's west London neighbour, to compose the score for the proposed theatrical production.

Winner says, "Death Wish: The Musical - it's a catchy title, isn't it? That'll have them singing.

"But seriously, Don has always suggested we do it and I am now investigating who owns the rights to do it. I think it's (Death Wish producer) Dino De Laurentiis. Maybe I can star in it."

Death Wish starred late screen legend Charles Bronson as liberal New York architect Paul Kersey, a man driven to a campaign of murderous street justice when a gang of muggers kill his wife and rape his daughter, leaving her mute.

Of the controversial film's four sequels, Winner also directed DEATH WISH II in 1981 and DEATH WISH 3 in 1985.