In 1966, when Michael Caine was a young man, he was given a role that would win him a hell of a lot of acclaim.
It was the role of Alfie, an incompetent Englishman who lives for the sole purpose of dating a different woman every day of the week.
When his live-in girlfriend is accidentally impregnated, Alfie moves to the country to re-think his life. The affairs continue, of course, but the responsibilities of fatherhood soon catch up with him.
Now, 38 years later, Caine wants to make fellow British actor Jude Law a household name in the US, by having him take on the same role.
Based on the novel by Bill Naughton, the film touched controversial topics like child abandonment and polygamy. Recognising potential success from the plot, there were a number of efforts by movie companies to churn out similar fare. Like Warner Brothers' Get Carter (which also starred Caine) for instance, which failed. And Paramount's The Italian Job, which didn't.
The new Alfie, directed by Charles Shyer, sees the action shift from London's swinging sixties to present-day New York. Alfie is still a womaniser, but his current worry is the possibility of dying of AIDS. The script is said to reflect changes in sexual attitudes in 40 years.
Caine has long enjoyed being a legendary British actor. Law, on the other hand, has constantly remained on the periphery of stardom, despite stunning successes with roles in Road To Perdition and Cold Mountain. Now, Caine is counting on Alfie to give Law's fortunes a turnaround.
Just as the original did, the remake boasts some big names, including Susan Sarandon and Marisa Tomei, who take on roles originally played by Shelley Winters and Julia Foster. Mick Jagger is also involved, recording songs for the soundtrack along with Dave Stewart, formerly of The Eurythmics. According to initial reports, a startling scene (Denholm Elliot playing an abortionist) has been replicated, this time in a New York clinic.
The ingredients are all in place. Will Alfie propel Jude Law into the A-list? Watch this space.
