TheTopkapiAffair Tagged Articles at Cinematical

To be honest, when word went out that the sequel to The Thomas Crown Affair was on the hunt for a director, I could never have predicted this. The master of sex and violence Paul Verhoeven told the Dutch radio program Met Het Oog Op Morgen, that he will be directing the Crown sequel for MGM. Titled The Topkapi Affair, the story will be a combination of Eric Ambler's novel The Light of Day, about a small time heist man who gets roped into an international jewel heist, and the 1964 adaptation of that novel starring Peter Ustinov. Considering the glamor of '99's Crown, the script might have to make some minor adjustments. Unless this time they are going for Thomas Crown on the skids.

Back in August, Patrick reported that Brosnan would be reprising his role as Thomas Crown, the dashing thief. Unfortunately, Renee Russo would not be returning, but previous reports have Angelina Jolie slated to star -- although there is still the chance that Jolie deal could fall through since there hasn't been any official confirmation. The script was completed back in January, and the project was given the green-light in March; (and I don't mean to be cynical, but the strike might have had something to do with MGM's enthusiasm in getting the film into production). Filming is set to take place on location in Istanbul, which might make use of the famed Topkapi Palace. Although it is unknown whether the production has permission to film in the palace -- Verhoeven just better make sure the nobody at the Istanbul Archeology Museum gets a hold of a copy of Showgirls. The Topkapi Affair is set for release in 2008.

[via ComingSoon.net]

Chalk this one up as a rumor right now, even though Moviehole feels pretty confident that it's "going to hit the trades any second now." According to the site, Angelina Jolie has been offered a role opposite Pierce Brosnan in The Topkapi Affair, a sequel to Brosnan's Thomas Crown Affair remake from 1999. Loosely based on the 1964 crime caper Topkapi, The Topkapi Affair will once again follow Thomas Crown (Brosnan) as he attempts to steal some sort of priceless jewel from the Topkapi museum in Istanbul. From there, we're not sure what happens -- but as Brosnan told Moviehole a few months back, "This version of Topkapi will have a different part, different woman, and different affair ... and we're using wonderful locations."

And if everyone has their way, Angelina Jolie will be playing that different woman. In the first film (no, not the Steve McQueen flick), Rene Russo played Brosnan's lover; a part which had the gal don her birthday suit for the first time on the big screen. Of course, folks are already conjuring up a number of naked Jolie images in their heads; hoping she follows in Russo's footsteps. And who can blame them? Personally, if they're going to shell out the dough for Jolie, then I would assume they'll also try to find a way to make the film PG-13. Sorry, but that's the way it is these days. But also keep in mind that Jolie has said that, after filming Clint Eastwood's The Changeling, she's going to take a year off to spend time with her family. So, either the powers that be are looking for a way to convince her otherwise or they're willing to wait for the mega star to get some much-needed down time. As soon as we hear more, you'll be the first to know ...