THE Orient Express is steaming into Horsforth next week - but without some of the top-name stars originally linked to the new film.

As reported in the Wharfedale Observer last week, Sophia Loren, Burt Reynolds and Lauren Bacall were all linked with roles in the £3 million remake of the Agatha Christie

classic Murder on the Orient Express, which is about to start filming at the new Transformer Studios in Horsforth.

Now, Charlotte Rampling, Leslie Caron and Alfred Molina look like taking part.

A replica buffet car has already been built in the former textile warehouse, owned by Robert and Laura Stroud. The stars lined up to appear in the legendary murder mystery include Alfred Molina, who is currently appearing in the film Chocolat with Juliette Binoche, starring as detective Hercule

Poirot.

Veteran actress Leslie Caron and Adam James, who recently finished filming Band of Brothers, also appear.

Charlotte Rampling has also been approached to co-star in the film, which starts production on February 6 and will also be filmed in Hull and Istanbul.

The Agatha Christie Ltd and CBS production, which will remain largely faithful to the original novel and 1974 film starring Albert Finney, but will have a contemporary setting. It will be shown in Britain next year.