Ashton-born Gladiator David McIntosh has landed the lead role in a new action movie.

Starring alongside Hollywood megastars Michael Madsen, Vinnie Jones, Ving Rhames and Tamer Hassan, the super-fit Royal Marine has a part ready made for him in Fight Back – as a super-fit former Royal Marine!

However, his character, Tom Hicks, is a man with a vigilante streak who, fresh from operations in Afghanistan, sorts out gangland problems in Britain.

Billed by writer Martin J Thomas as an "action comedy" it will see David, better known as Tornado in Gladiators, thrown in at the deep end.

He said: "I suppose there is a bit of acting involved on Gladiators, but apart from that the last I did was when I was at school, although I don't find it hard to do.

"But it was suggested I went for the part, I auditioned and I got it. It helps that the character is pretty much me. A lot of the action will be choreographed, but I will still be able to bring in some of the skills I used in the Marines.

"I am looking forward to working with stars like Vinnie Jones and Tamer Hassan. Let's hope this is a new departure for me."

David has appeared in two series of Gladiators, whose future is now believed to be uncertain. There is talk of it moving from Sky onto Channel Five.

Fight Back was due to have been filmed some time ago, but it was put on hold after investors pulled out because of the recession.

But now they are back in and filming is due to begin in Canada and London in February. Fight Back is due to be released in late 2010.