Paramount Targets Matt Helm from the director of Pleasantville... October 19th 2009 11:52am | Posted by: Michael Stevens, HNR Senior Editor According to studio reports, Gary "Pleasantville" Ross will replace Steven Spielberg as director of Paramount's Bourne-like reimagining of Matt Helm, based on the secret agent character previously portrayed as a wise-cracking 'James Bond' ladykiller by actor/singer Dean Martin in four films during the 1960's and as a 'no-nonsense' tough guy by actor Tony Franciosa in a 1960's TV series. Matt Helm will be produced by Alex "Transformers" Kurtzman and Robert Star Trek" Orci from a new screenplay by Paul Attanasio, set for a summer 2010 production start. Created by author Donald Hamilton, the character appeared in 27 books over a 33-year period beginning in 1960, establishing 'Helm' as one of the most pragmatic of all fictional secret agents. Premise of the books, follows US government counter-agent 'Matt Helm', whose primary job is to 'nullify' enemy agents. While the novels were set in the post-WWII Cold War era, the current script is set in the present. Click the book images to enlarge and Sneak Peek a clip of Tony Franciosa as 'Matt Helm' ... Source: SneakPeek.Ca In: Features |Visit the HNR Forums

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