Zac Efron is being lined up to star in a remake of Saturday Night Fever, according to reports.

Music mogul Simon Cowell is said to be in talks with Robert Stigwood, who owns the original screenplay, to create a new version of the 1977 movie.

High School Music star Efron, 21, would appear as Tony Manero, who was originally played by John Travolta.

Cowell is also thought to want producer Timbaland to re-imagine the soundtrack to the movie. The original score included songs by The Bee Gees and David Shire.

A source told The Sun newspaper: "Simon has been looking into buying the rights for years and opened discussions with Robert about the remake.

"The charm offensive has been in full swing and they made a breakthrough over the last couple of weeks.”

Stigwood is understood to want reassurances that any remake would be favourable to the original movie.

Zac Efron the new John Travolta?