Footballer David Beckham has turned down a role in a British heist movie called Red Light Runners, despite newspaper reports.

According to The Sun on Friday, the England captain and Manchester United midfielder was set to play a hitman in the film.

But, although Beckham was asked to take part in the film - co-produced by and starring Reservoir Dogs actor Michael Madsen - he declined the offer.

A spokeswoman for the film's backers told BBC News Online that Beckham's role would have been very small, but he turned it down regardless.

"It was not something he wanted to do at this time," she added.

David Beckham not interested in film work

At a launch for the film in London earlier this week, the offer made to the footballer was mentioned for "legal reasons", said the spokeswoman.

Despite failing to sign Beckham, Madsen - who played Mr Blonde in Quentin Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs - has signed up former Wimbledon and Leeds player Vinnie Jones to co-star.

Since hanging up his boots, Jones has forged a career for himself as an actor, playing mainly hard men in gangster films, including Guy Ritchie's Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch.

Targets

Also confirmed for Red Light Runners are former EastEnders bad guy Martin Kemp and actor and comedian Eddie Izzard.

BBC Radio 1's breakfast presenter Sara Cox will also have a small role.

Red Light Runners follows Madsen's criminal mastermind character as he recruits a crack team of baddies to help him pull off the perfect heist.

Vinnie Jones has been in gangster movies such as Snatch

The crime thriller is likely to be filmed at studios and on location in London and the South East.

Madsen is in the UK raising money to fund the movie. By Tuesday, he had reached his first �2m target.

The full amount needed, �8m, must be reached by 15 August before filming on Red Light Runners can start.

If this is not met, investors will get their money back.

Madsen is raising money from private investors through the UK Enterprise Investment Scheme.

The scheme's structure allows for income and capital gains tax relief.