For years there have been rumours of an Alan Partridge movie, and now they’re realy coming true, as it’s been revealed that the film is now shooting in Norfolk. Variety also reports that the cast has grown substantially, as Steve Coogan will be joined by the likes of Sean Pertwee, Colm Meaney, Anna Maxwell Martin, Monica Dolan and Dustin Demri-Burns.

They’ll team up with Partridge veterans Felicity Montagu, Tim Key, Simon Greenall, Phil Cornwell, Nigel Lindsay and Darren Boyd, who’ll all be back for more madness.

The Alan Partridge Movie has been written by Coogan, Neil and Rob Gibbons, Peter Baynham and Armando Iannucci, with Declan Lowney directing. Unfortunately there isn’t too much info known about the plot, other than it will follow Alan trying to resurrect his flagging media career.

You don’t have to wait too long to find out is Alan can make a successful jump to the big screen, as it’s due out in the UK on August 13th.

For a few months now there’s been much talk about plans for an Alan Partridge movie. Now it’s been announced that it’s officially moving forward, with Studiocanal signed up to distribute the movie, and shooting and release dates set. Here’s the press release announcing the news:

June 26 2012: STUDIOCANAL today announced their acquisition of UK theatric rights to THE ALAN PARTRIDGE MOVIE, set to shoot from January 7 next year, and confirmed an August 16 2013 opening date for the film in the UK.

Alan Partridge commented, “I’m simultaneously gladdened and pleased to see a British film being co-funded by the French dudes at STUDIOCANAL. This is without doubt the greatest Anglo-French co-operation since the Normandy landings. This time, the heroes aren’t Allied servicemen – they’re motion picture financiers, who are equally brave.

I’d also like to add that ‘canal’ – or, in English, ‘canal’ – is a transportation system close to my heart. In the late 18th century, this new method of logistics halved the price of coal in many English cities. If STUDIOCANAL’s investment can achieve even a fraction of that, I will be delighted.”

A Baby Cow/STUDIOCANAL production, backed by BBC Films and supported in development by the BFI Film Fund, THE ALAN PARTRIDGE MOVIE stars Steve Coogan, soon to be seen as renowned club proprietor and porn publisher Paul Raymond (aka the king of Soho) in a STUDIOCANAL Production.

THE ALAN PARTRIDGE MOVIE is written by Peter Baynham, Steve Coogan, Armando Iannucci, Neil and Rob Gibbons. Declan Lowney directs his second feature after Wild About Harry, with his TV credits including many episodes of Little Britain and Father Ted. Producers are Kevin Loader and Henry Normal, with Armando Iannucci, Danny Perkins, Joe Oppenheimer and Christine Langan as Executive Producers. Embankment Films are handling international sales.

Alan Partridge has had many ups and downs in his life. National television broadcaster. Responsible for killing a guest on live TV. Local radio broadcaster. A nervous breakdown in Dundee. His self-published book, ‘Bouncing Back’, subsequently remaindered and pulped.

THE ALAN PARTRIDGE MOVIE portrays the events of the greatest low-to-high-ebb spectrum in his life to date – specifically how he tries to salvage his public career while negotiating a potentially violent turn of events at North Norfolk Digital Radio.

Just what the world needs, a movie about Channel 5, Daily Express and porn empire owner Paul Raymond. However, with Michael Winterbottom at the helm, you have to hope it’ll be somewhat subversive and interesting. Now Variety reports Actresses Anna Friel, Tamsin Egerton, and Imogen Poots have joined the cast of The King of Soho.

The film tell the story of Raymond (Steve Coogan) who was dubbed The King of Soho because of the vast fortune he built through real estate properties and his pornographic productions, largely revolving around London’s Soho area. The plot will focus on both his personal and professional life, but it isn’t known what roles Anna Friel, Tamsin Egerton, and Imogen Poots will play.

Winterbottom is set to direct from a screenplay by Matt Greenhalgh (Nowhere Boy, Control), with the director reuniting with Coogan after 24 Hour Party People, Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story, and The Trip for director. Hopefully they’ll be able to bring a Party People sensibility to this story of how someone who built him empire on sex eventually ended up in the heart of the mainstream.