Fletch Reboot Movie Starts Filming Spring 2021 Says Jon Hamm
The Fletch reboot starring Jon Hamm will begin filming in spring 2021. The original film starred Chevy Chase and was directed by Michael Ritchie. Based on the novels by Gregory Mcdonald, the film follows Chase as Fletch, a reporter for the L.A. Times, who is approached by a millionaire offering cash in exchange for Fletch to murder him. Fletch is then embroiled in the millionaire's scheme to stage his death and run away with millions of dollars.
In 1985, the film was a box office hit and quickly amassed a large cult following. It spawned one sequel, Fletch Lives, also starring Chevy Chase and released in 1989. A reboot of the movie has been in the works for decades, with various names attached. At one point, Kevin Smith was primed to reboot the film at Miramax. It was announced in July that a reboot was officially in the works, with Hamm spearheading the effort as star and producer. The reboot will be directed by Greg Mottola, who directed Superbad and episodes of Arrested Development.
According to Collider, Hamm has said that the movie is expected to start shooting in the spring. Production is hoping to film in New York. Hamm also teased a back-to-basics approach, with the film utilizing the novels to approach the material with a fresh perspective. Hamm's comments reveal that nothing is confirmed, but that the production start date of spring is currently being eyed if everything comes together.
We're hoping to start shooting in the springtime, in New York City - you know, fingers crossed. We've got an excellent script, and an excellent director 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!
It's possible, though, that the film will veer away from the more slapstick-esque comedy of the original, aiming for a more serious tone instead. It would make sense, seeing as many reboots and remakes tend to veer into darker territory than their predecessors. The film could lean more into the neo-noir genre that the books utilize. With Fletch's subject matter tackling wealthy people's shady actions, a more serious tone would make sense for the modern update. Still, Hamm is sure to turn out a comedic performance, even if it is more dark comedy than the lighthearted original.
Source: Collider