As reported earlier this year, Warner Bros. has plans to reboot the Fletch franchise. Now, The Hollywood Reporter has word that the studio has brought in David Mandel to script the first draft.
The Gregory McDonald novel series, first published in 1974 with “Fletch,” offers a humorous take on an LA-based investigative journalist. The first book spawned 11 sequels and served as the basis for a 1985 film that starred Chevy Chase in the lead. Chase would return to the character in 1989 for a sequel, Fletch Lives, not specifically based on any of the books.
For years the second book (which is a prequel to the first), “Fletch Won” has been eyed for a Hollywood adaptation and has, since the mid-2000’s attracted prospective talent that ranged from Bill Lawrence directing with Zach Braff and/or Joshua Jackson amongst those rumored for the lead to a Kevin Smith version that would have potentially starred Jason Lee.
Mandel, a writer for “Saturday Night Live” and “Seinfeld,” has turned in screenplays for theatrical films that include Eurotrip, The Cat in the Hat and the upcoming The Dictator.
