Cleese signs up for Pink Panther

Cleese is best known for his work on Monty Python and Fawlty Towers

Former Monty Python star John Cleese and Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai are to appear in the next Pink Panther film, studio MGM has confirmed.

Cleese will play Chief Inspector Dreyfus in the movie, which is expected to be released in 2009.

And Steve Martin, Jean Reno and Emily Mortimer will return to the roles which they took in last year's production.

The remake, which also starred singer Beyonce, was a box office hit despite scathing reviews.

The actors in the new film will join forces as an international "dream team" of detectives.

They must trace a gang which has stolen several extremely valuable items, including the priceless Pink Panther diamond, the studio said.

"Steve Martin has successfully re-energised the Pink Panther franchise," said Charles Cohen, one of the senior figures at MGM.

"With this new dynamic cast, Pink Panther 2 is destined to be a commercial success and one of the most highly-anticipated films of 2009," he added.

The film will be directed by Norway's Harald Zwart, who has previously been behind movies including Agent Cody Banks.

The original film, released in 1963, starred Peter Sellers in the iconic lead role of the bumbling Inspector Clouseau.