Dexter Fletcher to helm reboot of espionage thriller The Saint

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Before we get down to the news, no, the above photo does not feature an image of a young Dexter Fletcher on the right hand side. That's actually an image of Val Kilmer taken from Phillip Noyce's 1997 remake of THE SAINT. The resemblance is uncanny, I know. When I'd landed on that image I was just as confused as you might've been.

Moving right along! It's been announced that ROCKETMAN and BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY co-director Dexter Fletcher is set to direct yet another remake of THE SAINT for Paramount Pictures. Based on the 1920s novel series written by Leslie Charteris, the story revolves around Simon Templar (a.k.a. The Saint), a Nathan Drake-like adventurer who's willing to travel the globe if it means that he gets to steal something cool and incredibly valuable. Seth Grahame-Smith will pen the script for Fletcher's version, which is set to be produced by Lorenzo Di Bonaventura, Brad Krevoy and the late Robert Evans, posthumously.

Before Noyce's version starring Val Kilmer as Simon Templar became a cult classic, the book was made into a television series cira 1962. The show lasted for six seasons with screen legend Roger Moore having stepped into the lead role. While Noyce's take failed to give THE SAINT franchise appeal, it's possible that Fletcher's version will stand as the third time that bears much charm.

Previously reports that JURASSIC WORLD and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY alum Chris Pratt was being eyed for the role of Simon Templar began circulating in November of 2018. That said, Pratt's name was not mentioned in any of the new reports that I'd come across, so I suppose that we'll have to wait and see if the Raptor rangler is still in the mix.

Are you down for seeing what Fletcher can do with THE SAINT? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.