Modern Family star Sofía Vergara is in negotiations to play the female lead in Heat, a remake of the 1987 Burt Reynolds action thriller.

Jason Statham stars as a gambling addict who takes a series of protection and security jobs in Las Vegas to support his addiction. When his friend is badly beaten by the mafia, he puts everything aside to take on the mob by himself. No details were given for Sofía Vergara's role.

Simon West (The Expendables 2) is directing from a screenplay by William Goldman, who wrote both the novel the original movie is based on, and the screenplay adaptation. Jason Statham is also producing alongside Steve Chasman. Corey Yuen, who directed Jason Statham in The Transporter, is serving as the action director/fight choreographer.

Sofía Vergara will next be seen on the big screen in Machete Kills, and she also has a voice role in the animated sequel The Smurfs 2.