Brosnan and Jolie for 'Thomas Crown' Sequel
Filed under: Action, Romance, Thrillers, Casting, Scripts, Angelina Jolie, James Bond, Remakes and Sequels
I remember very little about the Pierce Brosnan / Rene Russo version of The Thomas Crown Affair. I know that A) I liked it, B) that Rene Russo was frequently topless in it (see A), and C) there was a really cool scene with a bunch of dudes in hats. The film grossed a respectable $70 million back in 1999, and was a huge hit on video. And now a sequel is underway. You'll remember Thomas Crown was a remake of the Steve McQueen / Faye Dunaway original, which did not spawn a sequel. So are they coming up with an original story for TCA Part 2? Of course not, silly! Brosnan told Filmstalker that the sequel will be based on the Peter Ustinov classic Topkapi, and will be called The Topkapi Affair.
Moviehole is reporting that the screenplay is based on the novel Light of Day (this one, by Eric Ambler), so I suppose the script pulls from both sources. Casting has already begun on the sequel, and Brosnan says "This version of Topkapi will have a different part, different woman, and different affair. The guy is a little bit more seasoned and we're using wonderful locations this time." Wait, who is this different woman Brosnan is talking about? How do you one-up the gorgeous Rene Russo? Believe it or not, they did -- Angelina Jolie has reached a deal to play the love interest. The plot for this new adventure centers on getting the Kasikci Diamond out of Topkapki Palace, which is in Istanbul. The IMDb lists the screenwriter as Harley Peyton, whose last produced script was 2001's spotty Bandits. No word on a director yet, but let's hope they bring John McTiernan back. Mr. Die Hard stooped to making Rollerball, for crying out loud. Expect The Topkapi Affair in 2008.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-01-2007 @ 3:38PM
freemind1998 said...
Ugh. Russo was amazing in this film. I would rather see the worth advesaries turned lovers back together in this film sort of picking up where it left off. Jolie is all wrong for this. Re-watch TCA and you will agree...Russo was not only gorgeous but her character was sophistocated and highly intelligent. Also...just a heads up. I believe TCA was a remake of Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant's version rather then the Dunaway version. At least that's what I heard the 1st time around.
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9-01-2007 @ 8:00AM
Michael said...
Sorry, I would much prefer the SMOKING HOT Rene Russo to Angie any day of the week. As terrific as AJ is, she's getting both typecast and overexposed and frankly, I'm tired of everyone raving over how hot she supposedly is. Add the fact that she's now dangerously close to Tom Cruise territory off screen and I think that just adds to the fact that she needs desperately to have the spotlight taken off of her for a while.
I can think of many other actresses who would do just as well in this kind of role, the lovely and talented Ms. Russo being only the first. If I were her agent, I'd be campaigning pretty darn hard to replace Angie in that role instead. Not only does it make a heck of a lot more sense, I feel the chemistry between the two principals in the first film was much better than it would be if AG were to co-star. I mean come on, Pierce Brosnan is old enough to be her father and then some!
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9-01-2007 @ 9:41AM
Joe said...
The remade TCA was one of those rare movies that was both brainy & sexy, with two leads who just clicked on screen. Renee & Pierce were hot (although he was quoted as saying he needed to get a little drunk beforehand so he didn't look nervous during the sex scenes.) Santa Angelina is starting to become a parody of herself, & while the age factor might be a turn off to some, I am much more turned off by her weirdness quotient. Kiss your brother at the Oscars much? Bring back Renee!
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9-01-2007 @ 11:50AM
BigFanofMovies said...
TCA was an awesome movie with some cool heist scenes. Kinda like Ocean's 11 for the adults. I have seen the Steve McQueen/Faye Dunaway version too which is a little less cool than the Brosnan one. I am excited about this pic. Brosnan rocks in all kinds of caper roles (Remington Steele being the best example). This should be one nice ride.
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9-01-2007 @ 1:58PM
Carol said...
Topkapi was based on the novel Light of Day, so it's the same source material being adapted and tailored for Thomas Crown.
John Rogers as reported by Variety back in March is the latest script writer of record.
McTiernan seems to be on other projects this Fall. Let's hope they find a director who can also do stylish, adult, smart, sexy and clever.
Part of what made the 1999 TCA so successful was the pairing of two matched adults - in experience and age. Though I could see Jolie working for the female lead here if she's at all similar to the one portrayed by Melina Mercouri in Topkapi.
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9-01-2007 @ 2:04PM
KMF said...
I think it's a real mistake bringing Angelina Jolie in. Her track record at the box office has always been hit or miss. To me, she's a huge turn off. Way over-rated. Maybe I would have seen this new one if she wasn't in it. I'll take a pass since she is.
I think the producers here are thinking they can pull off some kind of Tomb Raider meets Thomas Crown.
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9-02-2007 @ 2:24PM
marie said...
please take an actress with class not trash!!!
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9-03-2007 @ 3:18AM
Coolio said...
Angelena is going to working with Daniel Craig predessor Pierce Brosnan.Angelena was to had been Daniel Craig lending lady in Casino Royale but because she was pregnaut. We all remember Daniel Craig starred with Angelena in Tombraiders. But wasn't first time with Daniel Craig she also worked with Sean Connery in 1 movie but I don't remember what title was.
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9-02-2007 @ 9:16AM
Kat said...
I saw the first one with Brosnan and liked it. I would never see the next one with Jolie. Not a fan of hers. Quite frankly I can see many people are not fans and have had it with all the publicity on her. Get Russo back in there! As for Angelina, didn't she say she was taking a year off (2008) to be with her family? I guess she's just telling everyone what she thinks they want to hear. She's full of it and I think she needs to get those poor kids out of the limelight! The last thing she needs is another box office bomb!
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