Sofia Vergara (who, earlier today, graced a pulpy new poster for Robert Rodriguez's Machete Kills) is eyeing a leading role opposite Jason Statham in Simon West's upcoming Heat, Variety reports.

A remake of the 1987 feature film that starred Burt Reynolds, Heat is being written by two-time Oscar winner William Goldman, who also wrote the original screenplay of the 1987 version, based on his own novel.

The action-thriller tells the story of a tough recovering gambling addict (Statham) who makes his living providing protection in the rough edges of the gambling world. Statham's character refuses to resort to gunplay, strictly using hand and edged weapon combat. When a dear friend is brutally beaten by a high-rolling mobster, he helps her get her revenge and he ends up in more trouble than he ever imagined.

In addition to Machete Kills and her ongoing work on ABC's "Modern Family," Vergara can be seen in this summer's The Smurfs 2.

(Photo Credit: Apega / WENN.com)