While Paramount is currently in production on the next installment of itsTransformersfranchise withTransformers: The Last Knight, the studio is planning on launching a much different franchise. The studio has acquired the rights toLeslie Charteris' long-running book seriesThe Saintfor a newmovie reboot. The studio previously distributed the 1997 version ofThe Saint, which starredVal KilmerandElizabeth Shue.
Leslie Charterisoriginal book series, which ran from 1928 to 1963, followed Simon Templar, a thief who would pull off elaborate heists, stealing from corrupt politicians, drug dealers and other criminals and spread their wealth among the less fortunate. The books were adapted into a 1960s British TV series which starredRoger Mooreas Simon Templar. There was also a recent attempt to revitalize the property as an American TV series, which will now be released as a TV movie later this year, starringAdam Rayner(Tyrant) as Simon Templar, along withEliza Dushku,Thomas Kretschmann,Greg GrunbergandRoger Moore.
Deadlinereports thatLorenzo di Bonaventura,Brad KrevoyandRobert Evansare set to produce for Paramount, with their deals currently being finalized. No writer or director is attached at this time, but we’ll have to see how quickly this project moves forward now that it has a studio home. Other producers such asMace Neufeld,Bill McDonald,David BrownandVal Kilmerwere once attached, but it doesn’t seem that they are involved anymore.
The producers hope to launch a modern-day franchise withThe Saint, a property which would certainly be more relevant in today’s modern age of technology, terrorism and corruption. It isn’t known if this reboot will provide anorigin storyfor Simon Templar, but it could be possible since the studio wants to launch a franchise. The 1997 version ofThe Sainttook in $61.3 million domestically and $118 million worldwide, under the direction ofPhilip Noyce.
Paramount is one of the few studios that doesn’t have any superhero properties, although theirTransformers franchisehas been quite lucrative, earning $3.7 billion through the first four movies. The studio also has theG.I. Joefranchise, withG.I. Joe 3still languishing in development, but a rebooted version ofThe Saintcould be quite successful as well. We’ll be sure to keep you posted with more updates on this project.
