Malcolm Tucker meets Dickens? Armando Iannucci and Peter Capaldi reunite for David Copperfield film

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The Thick Of It's creator Armando Iannucci is set to reunite with actor Peter Capaldi, when shooting on new film The Personal History of David Copperfield begins later this year.

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It was announced through Iannucci's Twitter that Capaldi - who played foul-mouthed spin doctor Malcolm Tucker through four series of The Thick of It and its spin-off film In The Loop - will be joining the director's take on the famed Charles Dickens novel.

— Armando Iannucci (@Aiannucci) May 8, 2018

'There’s not going to be swearing!'

Those hoping for a return to Tucker-esque theatrics however might be disappointed to learn that Capaldi will play kind-hearted Mr Micawber in the adaptation.

The film is set to be a more 'modern' adaptation of Dickens' classic. But don't expect too many expletive-filled, cutting insults; Iannucci told i back in February that "there’s not going to be swearing!"

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"It’ll be funny," he said, "and it should feel like a family film. But not in a Disney way.”

"It’s not updated into the 21st century, it’s set in 1840 London. But I want it to feel as fresh and contemporary as possible, because that’s actually what you feel when you read the book.”

Iannucci is joined in writing the script by Simon Blackwell, a long-time collaborator who has worked on The Thick of It, In The Loop and Veep, as well as Peep Show alongside Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain.

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Dev Patel has already been cast in the lead role; "I thought he’d make a great David Copperfield, because David Copperfield is wide-eyed and a bit naïve ," said Iannucci.

This marks the first time Capaldi and Iannucci have worked together since The Thick of It came to an end in 2012.

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[Main image: BBC]

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