Loyal fans ofThe Sneider Cutwill recall last month’s juicy rumor thatJon Hammwould star in the long-gestatingFletchreboot, and now Miramax has made it official, sending a press release to all the trades so they could repeat what I already told you.
This news has been brewing for much longer than a mere month, mind you. Collider broke the news in early March that Hamm hadsigned on for a key roleinSteven Soderbergh’sKill Switch, and while hunting for confirmation of that scoop, I learned that Hamm was poised to produce and star in a newFletchmovie. I told Team Hamm that I was hoping to do a larger story about both projects. His publicists feigned ignorance aboutFletch– andAlpha Gang, too – as did Miramax, but lo and behold, here we are.
In fact, eagle-eyed Hamm fans may rememberEsquire’s 2014 profileof theMad Menstar, in which he admitted thatFletchwas the movie he’d seen more than any other. Now he’ll produce a modern day reboot alongside his manager,Connie Tavel, whileDavid Listwill serve as an executive producer.
Chevy Chaseoriginated the disguise-loving character in the 1980s, based onGregory Mcdonald’s series of mystery novels. The new film is based on the second book,Confess, Fletch, which finds the investigative reporter looking into a series of murders, including one that casts him as the prime suspect. Thus, Fletch is forced to prove his innocence, all while he tracks down a stolen art collection that his fiancée inherited after her father’s disappearance and presumed death. Is there a connection there? Hmmm…
Michael Ritchiedirected the original 1985 hit and its 1989 sequelFletch Lives, though it will be Mottola taking the reins this time, directing from a script byZev Borow(Lethal Weapon). Mottola’s other feature credits includeAdventureland,PaulandKeeping Up with the Joneses, which paired Hamm withGal Gadot. More recently, Mottola directed multiple episodes ofLil Dicky’s hilarious seriesDave, on which he also serves as an executive producer.
Miramax’s press release featured a bunch of flowery beauty quotes but we’re not going to run them. Instead,click hereto watch episode 37 ofThe Sneider Cut, andclick herefor more informationAlpha Gang. As for Hamm’s casting as Fletch, he certainly has some big shoes to fill, though I’ve always liked him in comedy mode – his guest spot onCurb Your Enthusiasmwas great – and he strikes me as a good fit for the character. I don’t know how Chevy will feel about this one, but I wish Hamm the best of luck.
