Principal photography will start Sunday for The Inbetweeners Movie, the big-screen project based on the hit UK TV comedy about hapless sixth form students.

The film will shoot for six weeks on location in the UK and mainland Europe.

Simon Bird, James Buckley, Blake Harrison and Joe Thomas reprise their roles from the TV show. Series regulars including Emily Head (Carli), Belinda Steward-Wilson (Will’s mum) and Greg Davies (Mr Gilbert) will also appear. The other cast is rounded out byLydia Rose Bewley, Laura Haddock, Jessica Knappett and Tamla Kari.

The story will follow the school friends as they go on holiday to Malia with no adult supervision.

Damon Beesley and Iain Morris – the duo who created the Channel 4 hit comedy — wrote the script, which Ben Palmer will direct and Christopher Young will produce. The whole team has worked together on the TV series.

Entertainment Film Distributors plans the UK theatrical launch for Aug 19, 2011.

Bwark Productions and Young Films produce, with Channel 4 financing and Shane Allen serving as executive producer.

Beesley and Morris said in a statement: “We hope the fans will appreciate the film which, we think, completes the story of Will, Simon, Neil and Jay.”

Young added: “I very much hope that the film will introduce The Inbetweeners to a whole new audience in the UK and around the world.”