Since Steven Soderbergh ducked into an escape tunnel to leave Warners’ troubled new film version of spy series The Man From U.N.C.L.E., the studio has been raiding its address book to search for other directors who might take on the job. And it didn’t have to look far to find a willing volunteer: Guy Ritchie is now in the process of sealing a deal to take it on.
Ritchie, who has found success at the studio with Sherlock Holmes (and has sequel A Game Of Shadows due to hit our shores next week), has been busy setting up a production company with Holmes producer Lionel Wigram. **U.N.C.L.E. **could well turn out to be the first production for that new business, especially if Ritchie directs it.
If he does, he’ll be bringing to life the adventures of Napoleon Solo and Illya Kuryakin, two agents whose task is to fight evil around the world.
Currently, the film has a script by Contagion’s Scott Z Burns but little else in place. It’s been having trouble locking in a pair of leading man, with original Solo choice George Clooney passing due to worries over the stunts and Bradley Cooper dropping out due to scheduling issues. Channing Tatum was reportedly interested, but nothing much has been said since. For all we know, Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law could now play the pair, assuming they even have the time…