Following his uber successful directorial debut with “Creed III,” Michael B. Jordan is starring in and directing another huge project, the remake to ‘The Thomas Crown Affair.’ While we previously reported Jordan was attached to star in this project, it was unknown who would direct it. According to Deadline Jordan has signed on with Amazon MGM Studios to helm the third remake of the classic heist film, which will be released exclusively in theaters worldwide.
“The Thomas Crown Affair” centers on the charming and thrill-seeking Thomas Crown, a billionaire who finds his kicks by stealing priceless art, only to be pursued by Catherine Banning, an insurance investigator with her own set of skills and ambitions. As the tension between them escalates, so does a complex and steamy game of cat and mouse, blurring the lines between hunter and hunted.
Jordan will produce the film through his Outlier Society banner alongside Elizabeth Raposo, under their first-look deal with Amazon MGM. This third iteration of the movie continues a legacy that started with the original 1968 version starring Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway, followed by a popular 1999 remake with Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo. Each version brought its own flair to the suave art thief story, and with Jordan’s take he will add his own flair to the timeless elegance of the character.
The screenplay, penned by Drew Pearce with previous drafts from Wes Tooke and Justin Britt-Gibson, remains under wraps, but the project has already attracted significant attention from top talent in Hollywood. Producers Patrick McCormick and Marc Toberoff, alongside Alan Trustman, who wrote the original 1968 script, are also on board, ensuring the film remains true to its roots while bringing something fresh to the table.
The original “Thomas Crown Affair,” directed by Norman Jewison, was a stylish caper that captured the essence of the 1960s with McQueen’s effortless cool and Dunaway’s fierce intellect. Three decades later, director John McTiernan revived the story, with Brosnan bringing a James Bond-esque charm to the role, while Russo’s fiery portrayal of the investigator added a modern twist to their onscreen chemistry.
Now, more than two decades since the last remake, Jordan steps into a role that is less about physical confrontation and more about charisma and psychological gamesmanship. This nuanced character will allow Jordan to flex his acting muscles in a new way, drawing parallels with the charm of 007 but without the explosions and espionage.
Jordan’s previous directorial venture, “Creed III,” smashed expectations with a franchise-best $58.6 million opening and a global haul of $276 million. Having wrapped production on Ryan Coogler’s latest project at Warner Bros., Jordan appears eager to dive back into directing with “Thomas Crown Affair.” His involvement signals a commitment to elevating the character beyond a mere playboy thief, hinting at a layered performance that explores Crown’s motivations and vulnerabilities.
With Jordan signed on, the next major decision is casting the female lead—a role that has historically elevated the careers of its actresses.