Sam Raimi Brings Back Jack Ryan!
"Evil Dead" Director To Revive Tom Clancy's Character On Screen
Horror legend Sam Raimi is in talks with Paramount to re-start the "Jack Ryan" series of films, whose last installment was the Ben Affleck-starring "Sum of All Fears".
Although he made his name in more fantasy fare, “Evil Dead” & “Spider-man” director Sam Raimi is reported* to be in talks with Paramount pictures to bring back the character of Jack Ryan, the CIA character invented by writer Tom Clancy. It’s believed Paramount want to start the new series featuring a younger Ryan, just as the studio is currently doing with director J.J. Abrams on the movie “Star Trek”. The announcement (reported by trade paper Variety) would come as a blow to fans of the “Spider-man” films, as any involvement may put his place as director of the planned “Spider-man 4” in doubt.
Raimi Loves Jack
Raimi is said to be involved due to his love for the character, portrayed by three different actors over four smash-hit films. His status as a director is at an all-time high after his superhero trilogy, and his horror roots give him an independent credibility that would appeal to a studio. Paramount are planning the film, presumably the first of a trilogy, for 2010. This would come precariously close to the finish of Raimi’s next project, “Drag Me To Hell”, the 2009 film starring Justin Long and Alison Lohman, who recently replaced “Juno” star Ellen Page on the horror project.
It’s unclear as to which book will be drawn upon, if any, as presumably the studio cannot continue from “The Sum of All Fears” with a younger Jack Ryan. Whilst Clancy is writing a new novel, Paramount hold the rights to the character and can start with an original story if they so choose.
Ryan’s Screen History
As mentioned, three different men have played Ryan on the big screen. The first was Alec Baldwin, who played the role in the 1990 film “The Hunt For Red October”, opposite Sean Connery. Baldwin passed up the part of Ryan in “Patriot Games”, citing a theatre role as the reason (although rumours abound as to a ‘real’ reason why he left). He was replaced by Harrison Ford, so far the only man to play the part more than once. He starred in “Patriot Games”, and followed that with “Clear and Present Danger” in 1994. Eight years later, the series was revived with “The Sum of All Fears”, with Ben Affleck playing the role after Ford turned it down. The last instalment in particular was not well received, particularly as it was released very soon after the attacks on New York in 2001, although it was a modest financial success.
Spidey Gone?
Where this leaves the “Spider-man” franchise is unclear. It certainly does not rule Raimi out as director, as he could easily have a 4th film out by 2012 on his current schedule. However, the first of many issues is that, with two projects of such magnitude, would he really want the workload? Having stated he felt he’d brought this particular phase of the “Spider-man” story to bed, would he not stick with a new franchise? Another issue is Sony Pictures, the studio behind the three films. With Raimi gone, it’s widely believed stars Tobey Maguire and Kirsten Dunst will leave the series too, so would Paramount hold on for the director, or simply lose patience and start anew with a different cast?
Time will tell, but with such a renowned director attached, it's certainly good news for fans of Tom Clancy's beloved character.
Source: Variety
