‘Thomas Crown Affair’ Remake In The Works; Michael B. Jordan Is The New Steve McQueen (Or The New Pierce Brosnan)
Michael B. Jordanhas already revived one flagging franchise withCreed, and now MGM’s turning to him to bring another old property back to life. He’s set to lead a remake of the classic heist thrillerThe Thomas Crown Affair, which was originally released in 1968 and remade in 1999. And yes, this means Jordan is this generation’s Steve McQueen, or at least its Pierce Brosnan.
THR reports theThomas Crown Affairremake is still in the very early stages. MGM is still looking for a director and a writer to shape the starring vehicle for Jordan. It may be some time beforeThe Thomas Crown Affairactually hits theaters, which is probably just as well since Jordan still seems a bit young for the part.
The originalThomas Crown Affairwas directed by Norman Jewison and starred McQueen as a millionaire businessman who orchestrates robberies for fun. Faye Dunaway played an insurance investigator tasked with tracking him down. Despite the very obvious complications, the two fall into a love affair. The film was remade in 1999 with Brosnan and Rene Russo and director John McTiernan. Some elements were changed, including the ending, but the basic structure of a cat-and-mouse game turned romance remained intact.
Jordan had made a name for himself on shows likeThe Wire,Friday Night Lights, andParenthoodbefore breaking through into films withChronicleandFruitvale Station. Those smaller films put him on the path to much bigger roles inFantastic FourandCreed.Fantastic Fourwas a huge flop, but Jordan escaped unscathed, andCreedcame along a few months later to cement his status as one of the hottest young actors working today.
SinceCreed, Jordan’s been weighing a few different options. He’ll presumably return for theCreedsequel, which is already targeting a late 2017 release, and he’s been in talks for the graphic novel adaptationBlood Brothersand the criminal justice dramaJust Mercy, fromShort Term 12director Destin Cretton.
Michael B. Jordanis the newPierce Brosnan. Or maybe he’s the newSteve McQueen. In any case, he’s taking the Pierce Brosnan / Steve McQueen role in a new remake ofThe Thomas Crown Affair, which is developing at MGM.
