91Èȱ¬

A sequel to hit 1993 comedy Mrs Doubtfire is underway, with Robin Williams set to star and Elf writer David Berenbaum writing the script.

The original starred Williams as an estranged father who poses as an elderly Scottish nanny in order to spend time with his children.

The Golden Globe-winning film was a huge hit, taking $441m (£262m) at the box office worldwide.

director Chris Columbus is also set to return.

A sequel has reportedly been in the works since 2001 but none of the drafts appealed to both Columbus and Williams, and the project has been considered inactive for years .

Sally Field and Pierce Brosnan also co-starred in the original, which saw Williams using prosthetics, a wig and a dress to get into character as Mrs Doubtfire.

Berenbaum, who wrote the now classic Will Ferrell festive comedy Elf, has also worked on Haunted Mansion and The Spiderwick Chronicles.

Williams is currently starring in US sitcom The Crazy Ones and will return to the big screen in The Angriest Man in Brooklyn, released in the US next month.

His performance in Mrs Doubtfire was recognised with the best actor in a musical or comedy award at the 1993 Golden Globes - beating Sleepless in Seattle star Tom Hanks - while the film itself took best musical or comedy film.