In a recent interview with Collider, Golden Globe winner Jon Hamm (Mad Men) has finally opened up about Miramax’s upcoming Fletch reboot, confirming that they’re currently targeting to start filming next Spring in New York City. He also went on to tease the film’s “excellent script,” reiterating that the project will definitely be influence by the novels.
“We’re hoping to start shooting in the springtime, in New York City – you know, fingers crossed,” Hamm said. “We’ve got an excellent script, and an excellent director [Greg Mottola, ‘Superbad’] attached, and we’re going to start casting soon. It’s big shoes to fill, obviously. But as I’ve mentioned in previous conversations, it’s a reboot, it’s not a remake, so we’re going back to the novels and really breaking it down but hopefully bringing what people want to see. So, fingers crossed!”
RELATED: CS Video: John Patrick Shanley & Jon Hamm Talk Wild Mountain Thyme
Based on the Gregory Mcdonald novels of similar name, Hamm is set to star as I.M. Fletcher, the quick-witted investigative reporter previously portrayed by Chase in the 1985 cult classic neo-noir comedy and its poorly-received 1989 sequel. The new film is set to be penned by Zev Borow (Chuck) and helmed by Greg Mottola, best-known for directing Superbad and Paul and previously having worked with Hamm on Clear History and Keeping Up With the Joneses.
Pick up a copy of the 1985 Fletch film adaptation!
Though some plot details are currently being kept under wraps, the story for the film will be based on the second book in the series, Confess, and will see Fletch caught in the middle of multiple murders and must prove his innocence while also finding his fiancée’s stolen art collection, which was an inheritance from her father who is missing and presumed dead.
RELATED: Legendary Taps Peter Dinklage to Lead The Toxic Avenger Reboot
The Fletcher reboot will be produced by Hamm alongside manager and producer Connie Taval, with David List also attached to the project as executive producer. The rights to the Mcdonald character has been passed around Hollywood for nearly 30 years now, with Kevin Smith being attached from 2000-05 to write and direct for Universal Pictures before leaving over creative differences regarding casting, followed by Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence in 2006 in what was supposed to be his directorial debut with Zach Braff starring, though both eventually left. While Steve Pink (Hot Tub Time Machine) was briefly attached following Lawrence’s departure, nothing would come of it until 2014, when a script from List attracted the attention of Sudeikis to star for Warner Bros., but it would eventually fall into development hell.
