Jessica Biel and Sharlto Copley ("District 9") are in final talks for Fox's "A-Team," opposite Liam Neeson, Bradley Cooper and Quinton "Rampage" Jackson.

Joe Carnahan is directing with Ridley Scott producing with Jules Daly and series creator Stephen J. Cannell. Script by Skip Woods keeps the TV series premise of four wrongly convicted vets escaping from prison to become do-gooder mercenaries but carries a more serious tone than the small-screen version.

Lensing begins this fall in Vancouver.

Copley will portray helicopter pilot Capt. "Howling Mad" Murdock, a role originated by Dwight Schultz in the original series. Biel's set to play the ex-love of Cooper's character "Faceman," the general pursuing the team.

Neeson's set to play John "Hannibal" Smith, the role originated by George Peppard, and Jackson's on board as Sgt. "B.A." Baracus, portrayed by Mr. T in the series.