EXCLUSIVE: While the focus at Universal Pictures is on who’ll play the lead in The Bourne Legacy for writer/director Tony Gilroy, the studio has plugged itself into another espionage novel franchise. And former NBC Uni CEO Jeff Zucker is at its center. Universal has acquired screen rights to the series of bestselling books by Daniel Silva that focus on Gabriel Allon. A Mossad agent who killed six of the terrorists that murdered Israeli athletes at the Munich Olympics, Allon is semi-retired and makes his living as an art restorer. But he still takes assignments as an Israeli spy. Silva last year moved the book franchise from Putnam to HarperCollins.
Zucker, who left his post in January and has so far been mum on his future plans, became involved as the film’s producer because he and Silva are close friends and the author wanted it that way. Silva will be executive producer and the studio will go out to writers immediately. Universal has been keen on the Silva series for several years. It almost made a deal in 2007 for a a movie adaptation of the 2006 novel The Messenger with Pierre Morel attached to direct, but that deal wasn’t consummated. Studio will get a writer before figuring out which book to focus on. Allon has been in 10 of Silva’s novels. The next, Portrait of a Spy, will be published in July. Uni execs Peter Cramer and Jay Polidoro are shepherding the project and attorney Michael Gendler made the deal for Silva.
As for The Bourne Legacy, the studio and Gilroy are testing actors early this month, with Joel Edgerton (The Thing), Dominic Cooper (The Devil’s Double), Garrett Hedlund (Tron: Legacy) and Luke Evans (The Amateur American) definitely on the list and names like Logan Marshall-Green, Oscar Isaac and Taylor Kitsch and Bradley Cooper also rumored to be in the mix.
Zucker needs to netflix MUNICH and stop wasting studio money.
Definitly LEIV SCHREIBER!!!!
All books in the series were listened to on audio cd’s.
Daniel Craig is the natural choice, after two wonderful Bond movies.
Jason Isaac, the father in Harry Potter, is also a steal coming from the State Within thriller.
Anyone under 40 fails, especially no talent LaBeef, ruined Wall Street 2.
Get Michael Caine to shave 20 years and again a good choice.
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon also could pull it off.
That’s about it. An unknown in the age group would also be beneficial, no baggage.
Well, it’s about time. Daniel Silva is the most outstanding of all writers in this genre. His stories could be ripped from today’s headlines. Once you start reading you cannot put the book down.
CONGRATS TO JEFF. I have read every one of his books and if I had the clout that Jeff has I would have optioned them myself.
This series of movies will be bigger and make more money than “Bourne”.
Get Bradley Cooper. He is perfect for Allon.
We should expect one of the following rising young actors to play Gabriel Allon:
Shia LaBeouf, Anton Yelchin, Ed Westwick, Penn Badgley, Chad Michael Murray, Thomas Dekker, Chace Crawford, Emile Hirsch, James Lafferty
how about someone that can act ?
Or someone age-appropriate. Silva’s character is Mossad for crying out loud.
You apparently missed the part where he’s a retired spy who was active in the 1970s. It doesn’t sound like a role for the 20-somethings.
God help us. *sigh*
Surely this role should go to someone with real screen charisma and presence, and who can act. Is that really too much to ask?
Yeah, whatever you say Jeff.
Bradley Cooper is completely wrong for this role so I sure hope they pick someone else. I also hope it isn’t one of the young Hollywood pack like Shia LaBeouf since Gabriel Allon’s character’s description includes this regarding his hair- it is “Black with gray temples”.
Cooper is a bore. Did you see Limitless?
Um . . . have you read the books? Gabriel is in his 40’s at the start of the series, so it’s got to be an older actor in that range. Personally, I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Robert Downey Jr. or Daniel Day Lewis.
No no no no. These actors are so not right for this role. I really hope Silva doesn’t let Hollywood botch this. Before suggesting actors, please read the books.
So after losing two billion dollars of NBC money due to his own stupidity and incompetence Zucker continues to fail upward. Now he’s a movie mogul. He’s the luckiest moron who ever lived.
The Silva books are, for the most part, really good stories but having the man who took NBC from number 1 to number 4 involved doesn’t leave me with much hope.
This is fantastic and long overdue. Getting Gabriel just right is going to be a challenge but it’s VERY important they don’t mess this one up. Bradley Cooper??? Erm, NO! You need someone middle aged, slightly built but fit, and with a certain amount of gravitas.
Allon is an older spy, not once in any of the books is there any flashbacks. When I read it, I always imagined a Gabriel Byrne type figure in the role of Allon.
I sincerely hope that Daniel Silva will have a lot of control in this project. Too many good books have been greatly compromised in films. Please, please do a good job.
Shia is good, but Emile is the greater character actor in the list provided.
Emile can be aged for this role and he would bite it with a force that would blow you away.
A real espionage drama shot all over the world needs to be led by a “real” character actor who has the range, the depth and the “courage” to allow real moments to flourish.
Definitely not young pretty boys reciting lines in a cool way.
This is a great series of books. Gabriel Allon is a fantastic character. Silva really knows what he is doing. Such a fun read. I hope they start at the very beginning.
Lots of Israelis to be cast.
A new film franchise will be born if they handle this one right. The stories jump off the pages at you. Mazel to Gabriel Allon!
Totally agree. These books are spectacular with great internal and external conflict and lush backgrounds. Hope it’s not blundered.
ODED FEHR.
Makes a lot of sense. Right age, right look, Israeli.
Jeff Zucker wouldn’t know a good story idea if it stared him in the face and sang Cheyenne Anthem from Leftoverture. I referenced Kurt Sutter there.
Please Hollywood – Do Not Screw This Up. One of the best series ever written, with complex characters and themes. Is Hollywood prepared to confront the reality of world today inthe same manner that Silva does? (I doubt it). As for actors – Daniel Day Lewis is one of the few actors of the correct age that would work.
Oh God, YES! I hadn’t thought of him but he’s absolutely perfect, the only actor with the right “look” who is also capable of channeling the complicated spirit of Gabriel Allon.
Gabriel Allon is one of the most unique characters ever written and it will take an outstanding actor to pull it off. He must be brutal, yet sentitive. I always thought of someone like Alfred Molina to play him. Please don’t give the roll to some of these new “stars”. Also if you need help with the script, I have read all of Mr. Silvas’s books and aldo do screenwriting. Thanks.
Is there a part for me?!
Jeff Zucker as Mr. Potato Head — who has the rights?
Pixar/Disney via the “Toy Story” franchise.
So glad the movies will be made. But the actors you mention are too young! Gabriel is older than that…we need a sexy, mature actor in this role.
Every time that I had seen a movie about a book, I have been disappointed, so I will stay with the books and forget the movies, it is more fun to read
Absolute must – not an American!
Meh
Zucker has failed upward but that isn’t surprising. To be a producer in hollywood you need to be someone who can have their calls returned, Zucker is one of these people.
Where do talented people fit into this?
They suck up to people who can have their calls returned.
the system in a nutshell