Jones shot to big-screen prominence last year with his performance in the highly acclaimed British film Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

So well received was his acting debut that the 34-year-old former Wimbledon, Leeds and Chelsea midfielder decided to quit football.

In March, he accepted a pay-off from his last club, Queen's Park Rangers, and turned his attention to showbiz.

Nicolas Cage...won an Oscar in 1996 for Leaving Las Vegas

His career change seems to have paid off following his casting in the gangland thriller Gone in 60 Seconds. His fee is reportedly about �400,000.

Impressed by debut

The film is being made by Top Gun producer Jerry Bruckheimer, who was smitten when he saw Jones in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.

Jones, who played gangland "enforcer" Big Chris in the low budget hit, said: "I am absolutely over the moon. I got the call on Monday and flew over there on Tuesday. I had signed by Wednesday.

"I didn't even have to audition. They knew they wanted me for the part. It is a dream come true."

Jones, who lives in Hertfordshire, plans to move to Los Angeles with his wife Tanya for six months while the film is shot.

1970s remake

Gone in 60 Seconds, a remake of a 1974 movie, is due out next year.

The title refers to the time it takes professionals to steal a car.

Cage, who starred in Moonstruck, Leaving Las Vegas, Con Air and Face Off, plays the leader of a gang of car thieves.

Jones is cast as Sphinx, a mute gangster "with a mysterious past".

The former Welsh international told The Mirror that despite playing a mute he gets a "big speech" at the end of the film, which he described as "the biggest movie of next year".

Jones recently finished community service work which he was ordered to do after being convicted of assaulting a neighbour, Timothy Gear, in a dispute over a fence.