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Joe Utichi contributed to this report from London
EXCLUSIVE: Exactly fifty years after the premiere of the British spy series The Saint, a remake is picking up steam with a pilot directed by Simon West. British actor Adam Rayner has been cast in the title role made famous by Roger Moore in the original series. The remake, produced by Brad Krevoy, is not set at a network yet. Written/executive produced by Jesse Alexander (Heroes), it is slated to begin shooting a pilot later this month. In the project, debonair international thief Simon Templar (Rayner), a modern day Robin Hood, steals from rich criminals and keeps the loot for himself. A master of disguise, improvisation, martial arts, firearms and espionage and the quintessential English gentleman, he is hired by certain government agencies for special assignments. The completed pilot is expected to be shopped to networks.
Rayner was last seen co-starring opposite Melissa George on the first season of the Cinemax/BBC spy drama Hunted, created by Frank Spotniz. He is repped by ICA Talent, IALA, Jamie Feldman in the US and Maxine Hoffman and Lara Beach in the UK. This is not the first stab at remaking The Saint on the small sceen. Four years ago, Moore was attached to produce a TV movie/backdoor pilot. Producers Barry Levinson, Tom Fontana, Bill MacDonald and writer Jorge Zamacona were behind the project, which had James Purefoy attached as the lead but ultimately didn’t get off the ground. Val Kilmer played Templar in the 1997 feature remake.
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I guess The Return of the Saint starring Ian Ogilvy in 1978 is too far back for anyone to remember? That flopped.
I was about to post “Why in God’s name are they remaking this movie?” when I realized, through reading the article, that the (admittedly cheesy) movie I so enjoyed and didn’t think should be remade is, in fact, a remake in and of itself. Oh well, in that case, best of luck but I won’t bother to see it in theaters, more than likely. Could be worth a rental. At least they didn’t cast Colin Farrell in this one.
And this is why I don’t comment first thing in the morning… Lol, reread it and this one’s going to be a TV show. Sure, I’d give that a try; you can fit a lot more story into however many episodes than a mere two-hour movie.
It’s not a remake of the TV show. It’s a re-imagining of the original character from the books, the first of which appeared in 1928.
And let’s not forget the fun series of b-movies starring George Sanders from the 40s.
…and for my two cents..
Don’t forget the old radio show that starred Vincent Price in the 1940′s.
~
Coat
You’re right. I think a British actor, George Sanders (?), portrayed him during the 1940s.
Ian……as Bond has had some makeovers I believe Templar could use a little work but as Barbara Brocoli said in a recent interview of Bond that her father “Cubby” all ways told her to go back to the original text of Fleming when she needed inspiration. Looking forward to the 21st century Templar with that Charteris inner core.
The books by Leslie Charteris are quite entertaining. Plus I learned a few life lessons from them.
The SAINT will be cool. They need other cool recognized actors around The Saint. I hear they are talking to come cool peeps.
There was also a film series in the 1940s.
The 60s version had to tiptoe around Templar’s criminal activites (leading many viewers to think he was some sort of secret agent). Hopefully, they can avoid that confusion today.
Most fans agree Roger Moore was MUCH better as The Saint then he was as James Bond; the character just suited him.
Adam Rayner has been the best [only?] reason to watch Hunted… he’s got intense charisma to burn. I can see why producers would want to feature him in a TV series. Whether this one is a good idea or not, we shall see, eh?
HUNTED was so utterly dull. It haemorrhaged viewing figures here in the UK
Right on Jesse Alexander!
I suspect that the “Saint” remake will also attract considerable interest from Britain’s BBC and ITV.
Although the character has been seen in many forms over the decades, it’s Roger Moore’s 1960′s (1962-64; 1967-69) TV version that’s the standard against which all other depictions of the character are compared against. Likewise, the Adam Rayner series will be compared to Moore’s.
I noticed a few weeks ago that the Saint novels were going to (finally) be reissued in the UK, according to Amazon and Waterstone’s–maybe this is why they think a remake could work now.
sounds like Robert wagner’s It Takes a Thief tv show of the late 1960′s, just before he starred as a similar character with Eddie Albert on Switch.
For this to be done correctly – and watchably – it cannnot air on one of the Big 4 (maybe not so big anymore). There could be a nice fit on a cable sibling like Syfy (still hate the new spelling), or a premium network like Starz (such as their Torchwood: Miracle Day outing), Showtime, or HBO. BBC America could handle it as well, a nice touch being a British series and all.
The 1997 movie with Kilmer was just plain bad and could turn some people away from the franchise. The 1960s Roger Moore version is what most people “of a certain age” will recall, but that was toned down for the times. A contemporary Saint could be equal parts Robin Hood, Danny Ocean, or Mission: Impossible (1960′s version please). Just don’t make it like Leverage.
Please cast Roger Moore for this remake!!!!!!
There was only one Simon Templar & that was the one in the books.
The Saint in the books could be a very violent man & not averse to torturing the ungodly to get results (and for fun) He also had a cocky sense of humour. None of the screen versions were anywhere close.