In the minds of many,Rocketmanwas the best movie Paramount Pictures released last year, and now the studio is staying in business with directorDexter Fletcheron its action thrillerThe Saint.
Fletcher is considered a protege ofGuy Ritchie, and this move reminds me of when Ritchie directed WB’s reboot ofThe Man from U.N.C.L.E.An eyebrow was raised at first, but he proved to be the right man for the job. Now, Fletcher doesn’t have any action on his resume, but he’s hot right now and he elicits strong performances from his actors, which is why they seem to love working with him.
Chris Pratthad been in talks to play Simon Templar, akaThe Saint, butaccording to Variety’s Justin Kroll, who brokethe news about Fletcher, theJurassic Worldstar passed about six months ago. Personally, I think it’s for the best, as this IP is kind of weak in my opinion. But what may be small potatoes for Pratt can simultaneously be the right fit for Fletcher.The Saintfeels like a stepping stone to true blockbusters. A film that will allow him to get his feet wet on the action front.
The Saintis based on a series of old books written byLeslie Charterisin the 1920s. That series was turned into the British TV seriesThe Saint, which was turned into a 1997 movie starringVal Kilmer. It was, to put it kindly, not good, which is why the property has lay dormant for more than 20 years. But today’s teens are too young to remember that movie, which is why Paramount is giving it another go. After all, this is a studio that managed to turn theMission: ImpossibleTV series into Hollywood’s best active franchise for 25 years running.
Lorenzo Di Bonaventura(Transformers) will produceThe SaintwithBrad Krevoy, while the lateRobert Evanswill also receive a producer credit, having developed the project for many years.Seth Grahame-Smithwrote the latest draft of the script, which is aimed at starting a franchise around Templar, a Robin Hood-esque criminal and thief for hire.
Fletcher famously replacedBryan Singerduring the final few weeks of production onBohemian Rhapsodybefore going on to directRocketmanstarringTaron Egerton, who previously starred in Fletcher’s lovely sports movieEddie the Eagle. Fletcher has been in high demand sinceRocketman, and he’s also attached to direct Universal’s monster movieRenfield, based on a character in Bram Stoker’s Dracula. For more on that genre project,click here.
