The Robert Evans-produced film adaptation UFO has been moving steadily closer and closer to release, with visual effects guru Matthew Gratzner hired to direct and now Joshua Jackson hired to head up the cast in the feature adaptation of the cult 1970s Gerry Anderson show.

Jackson will play Paul Foster, a test pilot who joins SHADO, the secret organisation based beneath a film studio and dedicated to fighting aliens. In the TV series, Foster became aware of the existence of both SHADO and aliens after his jet was severely damaged in an air battle between the two, and started an investigation that threatened to reveal SHADO's existence.

The organisation's head, Ed Straker, considered having Foster killed, but was sufficiently impressed to recruit him instead. It kinda seems to us like that particular storyline would make a very good introduction to SHADO's world for cinemagoers, so we wouldn't be surprised at all to see Foster's story become the first act.

Gratzner and the erstwhile Pacey Whitter are hoping to start shooting in the spring, so look out for more casting news on this in the near future.