A truly scrumptious remake of CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG could be lining up on the starting grid. With a new theatrical version of Ian Fleming’s titular and vehicular hero in the very early works, EON Productions and Amazon MGM Studios are looking at the possibility of giving the much loved classic a new cinematic oil change.

Based on the book by Ian Fleming, produced by Albert R. Broccoli and Warfield Productions and directed by Ken Hughes, the 1968 film musical version famously featured songs by the Sherman Brothers (MARY POPPINS, THE JUNGLE BOOK) and saw many Bond production alumni firing on all cylinders (writer Roald Dahl, production designer Ken Adam, designer Peter Lamont, FX man John Stears, screenwriter Richard Maibaum and actors Gert Frobe and Desmond Llewelyn were all involved). The film also made great use of Pinewood Studios and Heatherden Hall as well as England’s home and southern counties.

Originally published by Jonathan Cape books two months after Ian Fleming’s early death in August 1964, the original book was written for his son, Caspar. Chitty was soon serialised by the DAILY EXPRESS upon release, became a highly successful musical across the globe in 2002 (produced by Dana and Barbara Broccoli and EON Productions), was adapted for radio in 2011 by the BBC, was referenced by a gargantuan Child Catcher at the London 2012 Opening Ceremony and writer Frank Cottrell Boyce has now penned three further adventures, CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG FLIES AGAIN (2011), CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG AND THE RACE AGAINST TIME (2012) and CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG OVER THE MOON (2013).

CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG remains a firm favourite at EON Productions – with a pride at the film, its car and story world. Partly produced by Cubby for daughter Barbara and her young siblings, the film was intended to be a vibrant counterpoint to the more adult onscreen exploits of Commander Bond – but still parked in that world of speed, automobiles, European villains, Ken Adam’s design grandeur, motif songs and glamourous women.

The emphasis right now is on early days. But, buckle up. The press rumours about who is playing the most important role* in cinema are about to start their engines!

[* The Child Catcher of course!]