Dallas film 'set to be a comedy'

John Travolta will star in the role made famous by Larry Hagman

The film version of 1980s TV hit Dallas could be turned into a comedy after the departure of Bend It Like Beckham director Gurinder Chadha.

Trade paper Variety reports that Betty Thomas - behind spoof film The Brady Bunch - is now in talks to direct it.

Thomas would become the project's third director - Australian film-maker Robert Luketic originally signed to direct before Chadha took over last year.

John Travolta will star as oil tycoon JR Ewing. Filming begins in January.

Luke Wilson is set to star as Bobby Ewing and producers are in talks with Meg Ryan to play Sue Ellen after Jennifer Lopez dropped out, Variety reports.

Budget cut

Shirley MacLaine will play Miss Ellie.

Pam Brady, who wrote comedy Hot Rod, is putting together the script.

The budget is now expected to be less than the projected $65m (£32m) for the original version.

Dallas, which followed the fluctuating fortunes of a Texan oil family, was broadcast in the US and UK from 1978 to 1991.