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The Saint reboot has found its director, with Doug Liman tapped to helm the film starring Regé-Jean Page. Page, who shot to fame in Bridgerton, continues to rise in Hollywood and is a fan-favorite choice for the next James Bond. Liman, known for his work in action films like The Bourne Identity, brings experience and talent to the highly anticipated reboot of The Saint.

The new adaptation of The Saint has found its director. The film starring Bridgerton and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves star Regé-Jean Page is finally making some progress.

Created by Leslie Charteris in 1928, Simon Templar is a literary character who has appeared in several novels, but has also made it to film and television. Simon is like a modern-day Robin Hood, as he is a talented thief, but also performs heroic feats. The first adaptation of his story came in 1938, with Louis Hayward playing him.

The upcoming reboot of The Saint now has a director on board.

Back in 2021, it was reported that Bridgerton and Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves star Regé-Jean Page would star in Paramount's new take on The Saint. At the time, a director wasn't yet named. More than two years later, per THR, it's been revealed that Doug Liman has signed on to direct and oversee the development of the film. Liman is known for directing The Bourne Identity before executive producing its subsequent sequels. He also helmed movies like Swingers, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Edge of Tomorrow, and Chaos Walking, along with the upcoming Road House reboot.

Val Kilmer Was Originally Part of Disney's Willow Series Plans

The Saint reboot was previously reported to be written by Kwame Kwei-Armah (All Rise), but THR now claims that the project will move forward with Black Adam scribes Rory Haines and Sohrab Noshirvani doing the writing.

Doug Liman is set to direct and oversee development on Paramount Pictures’ reboot of The Saint.

Regé-Jean Page, a breakout actor from Netflix’s Bridgerton, was earlier tapped to star in and executive produce the studio’s imagining of the movie based on the early 20th century adventure novels by Leslie Charteris that featured a mysterious man named Simon Templar taking down various bad guys.

Val Kilmer starred in Paramount’s 1997 original film The Saint as a master of disguise. The character has proven quite popular, appearing in comics, serials and, of course, movies and television. Roger Moore famously starred in the 1960s British TV series of the same name.

Liman boarding the reboot gives new momentum to the long-gestating project, which earlier had Chris Pine attached and Dexter Fletcher directing. The logline for the new version from Liman, the filmmaker behind Edge of Tomorrow and Mr. & Mrs. Smith,...

Paramount has signed “The Bourne Identity” filmmaker Doug Liman to direct the upcoming crime thriller “The Saint,” which will star Regé-Jean Page in a new imagining of the 1920s book series created by Leslie Charteris.

“The Saint” takes its name from the nickname of its protagonist, Simon Templar, a thief for hire who travels around the world serving as a modern day Robin Hood, stealing from the rich and protecting the powerless.

Charteris’ novels were adapted into a hit British 1960s TV series that became Roger Moore’s biggest claim to fame before he became James Bond. Paramount also adapted the books into a 1997 film starring Val Kilmer.

Page will also serve as an executive producer on the film, with Lorenzo Di Bonaventura and Brad Kervoy. The late Paramount Pictures chief Robert Evans, who died in 2019, is also listed as a posthumous producer. “Black Adam” screenwriters Rory Haines and Sohrab...

Development continues on more film takes of author Leslie Charteris' crime-fighting vigilante 'Simon Templar' aka "The Saint":

Scripts will adapt the works of author Leslie Charteris, focusing on master thief/vigilante  'Simon Templar'.

The character has been featured in a long-running series of books by Charteris published between 1928 and 1963.

Rko owns the rights to several films based on "The Saint", including the 1938 feature "The Saint in New York".

"The Saint" has previously been adapted for several motion pictures, radio dramas, comic strips, comic books and three television series.

Templar is known as 'The Saint' because of his initials (St) and because his heroic exploits fly in the face of an otherwise nefarious reputation. Templar has aliases, often using the initials 'S.T.' such as 'Sebastian Tombs' or 'Sugarman Treacle'.

His true name is unknown, and the name 'Templar' was adopted at an early age from reading about the 'Knights Templar'.

‘Bridgerton’ breakout star Regé-Jean Page has been cast as Simon Templar in the reboot of ‘The Saint.’

After scrapping the long in gestation version which had Dexter Fletcher on board to direct and Chris Pine to star, Paramount are now embarking on a new route with Page in the leading role. They have also moved to hire playwright and actor Kwame Kwei-Armah to write up a new draft of the screenplay.

The movie follows Simon Templar (a.k.a. The Saint), a Robin Hood-esque criminal and thief for hire, this new incarnation is said to be venturing down the thriller path.

Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Brad Krevoy will produce, while Robert Evans, who died in 2019 and will receive a posthumous credit. Page is also set to executive produce.

Also in news – Jai Courtney cast in thriller series ‘The Terminal List’

Based on the 1920s novel series written by Leslie Charteris,...

While Bridgerton fans are still mourning the news that Rege-Jean Page will not be back for the period drama's second season, it looks like he has already landed his next big role: taking over the role of Simon Templar in a new reimaging of The Saint. Previously best known as a Roger Moore starring series of the 1960s, a movie version released in 1997 saw Val Kilmer in the lead role, and another reboot film made its way to Netflix in 2017. While neither movie fared as well as the series, this new version looks like it could be going back all the way to the source material for inspiration.

The book series of The Saint was written by Leslie Charteris and released between the 1920s and 1990s (the latter books being written by numerous other authors) that told stories of a Robin Hood style criminal and thief for hire known as The Saint.

“Bridgerton” breakout Regé-Jean Page will star in and executive produce a reimagined version of “The Saint” at Paramount, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.

Kwame Kwei-Armah is writing the script. Paramount is hoping “The Saint” could kick off a franchise, as the film is based on the globe-trotting 1920s novel series by Leslie Charteris.

Philip Noyce directed the 1997 film version that starred Val Kilmer as Simon Templar, a thief for hire also known as The Saint, who is hired to steal the secret process for cold fusion. But a new job ends up putting him at odds with a man bent on toppling the Russian government, as well as a woman who holds the secret. Noyce’s film grossed $118 million worldwide.

Lorenzo Dibonaventura is producing, and Brad Krevoy along with Mark Vahradian and the late Robert Evans are also listed as producers.

“Rocketman” director Dexter Fletcher, who...

Actor Chris Pine will star as Paramount's "The Saint", based on the 1920's crime novels by author Leslie Charteris, to be directed by Dexter Fletcher:

The character has been featured in a long-running series of books and comic books published between 1928 and 1963.

Rko owns the rights to several films based on "The Saint", including the 1938 feature "The Saint in New York".

"The Saint" has previously been adapted for several motion pictures, radio dramas, comic strips, comic books and three television series.

Templar is known as 'The Saint' because of his initials (St) and because his heroic exploits fly in the face of an otherwise nefarious reputation. 

Templar has aliases, often using the initials 'S.T.' such as 'Sebastian Tombs' or 'Sugarman Treacle'.

His true name is unknown, and the name 'Templar' was adopted at an early age from reading about the 'Knights Templar'.

Templar usually leaves a...

Actor Chris Pine will star as Paramount's "The Saint", based on the 1920's crime novels by author Leslie Charteris, to be directed by Dexter Fletcher:

The character has been featured in a long-running series of books and comic books published between 1928 and 1963.

Rko owns the rights to several films based on "The Saint", including the 1938 feature "The Saint in New York".

"The Saint" has previously been adapted for several motion pictures, radio dramas, comic strips, comic books and three television series.

Templar is known as 'The Saint' because of his initials (St) and because his heroic exploits fly in the face of an otherwise nefarious reputation. 

Templar has aliases, often using the initials 'S.T.' such as 'Sebastian Tombs' or 'Sugarman Treacle'.

His true name is unknown, and the name 'Templar' was adopted at an early age from reading about the 'Knights Templar'.

Templar usually leaves a...

‘Wonder Women’ and ‘Star Trek’ actor, Chris Pine, has entered into negotiations to star in the upcoming reboot of ‘The Saint’.

The movie follows Simon Templar (a.k.a. The Saint), a Robin Hood-esque criminal and thief for hire. Seth Grahame-Smith penned the script on what the studio is hoping will be another long-running franchise of films. Lorenzo Di Bonaventura is producing along with Brad Krevoy and the late Robert Evans, posthumously.

Pine would take the titular role if negotiations are successful. Plot details are being kept under wraps, though it’s believed to take place during the present day and is not a period piece. No date has been set for production start.

‘Rocketman’ helmer Dexter Fletcher will direct the film and Seth Grahame-Smith wrote the script. Lorenzo Di Bonaventura is producing along with Brad Krevoy. Robert Evans, who served as a producer on the original film and died in 2019, also helped produce.

Paramount is rebooting the 1997 action movie The Saint and the studio wants Star Trek star Chris Pine to lead the cast. As previously announced, the movie will be directed by Dexter Fletcher (Rocketman) using a screenplay written by Seth Grahame-Smith (The Lego Batman Movie). Also on board to work on the project behind the camera are Lorenzo Di Bonaventura (Transformers) alongside Brad Krevoy and Mark Vahradian as producers. The late Robert Evans, who helped produce the 1997 version, was also serving as a producer until he passed away last year.

Inspired by the original book series from author Leslie Charteris, the movie will follow Simon Templar, a "Robin Hood-esque criminal and thief for hire" also known as "The Saint." In the 1997 version, this role was played by Val Kilmer, and this is also likely the role Pine is in negotiations to take on for the project.

In the Kilmer movie, The Saint...

Word has come down the wire via Deadline that Wonder Woman 1984 actor Chris Pine is in final negotiations to star in Paramount Pictures' remake of The Saint, which has Rocketman and Eddie The Eagle director Dexter Fletcher in line to direct. Based on the 1920s novel series written by Leslie Charteris, the story revolves around Simon Templar (a.k.a. The Saint), a Nathan Drake-like…...

Chris Pine is in talks to star in a remake of “The Saint,” a globe-trotting franchise-starter based on the 1920s novel series written by Leslie Charteris, at Paramount, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.

Dexter Fletcher (“Rocketman”) is attached to direct. Paramount is hoping “The Saint” could kick off a franchise, as the film is based on the globe-trotting 1920s novel series by Leslie Charteris.

Philip Noyce directed the 1997 film that starred Val Kilmer as Simon Templar, a thief for hire also known as The Saint. Fletcher will direct from the most recent draft of the script by Seth Grahame-Smith. Lorenzo Dibonaventura is producing, and Brad Krevoy and the late Robert Evans are also listed as producers.

Also Read: Dexter Fletcher to Direct Remake of Val Kilmer Action Film 'The Saint' at Paramount

The 1997 film grossed $118 million worldwide. Fletcher’s “Rocketman” made $195.1 million worldwide for Paramount.

If you've never seen the 1997 movie The Saint starring Val Kilmer, you are in for a treat. A perfect mash-up of a 90s action-thriller and so-bad-its-good moviemaking, Kilmer played Simon Templar, aka The Saint, who's a thief and criminal for hire but also wears some really laughable disguises. The film is based on a 1920s book series of the same name by Leslie Charteris, but was notably adapted into a 1960s TV series starring Roger Moore. We reported back in February that Rocketman helmer Dexter Fletcher was on board to direct and …...

Deadline has confirmed that Chris Pine is in negotiations to star in Paramount Pictures’ remake of The Saint, which Rocketman director Dexter Fletcher is helming. Seth Grahame-Smith is penning the most recent draft.

Lorenzo Dibonaventura, Brad Krevoy and the late Robert Evans are credited producers.

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The pic is based on the 1920s novel series written by Leslie Charteris which spawned a radio show, a 1960s Roger Moore TV series and then a 1997 movie directed by Phillip Noyce and starring Val Kilmer. That film followed Simon Templar (aka The Saint), a thief for hire whose job is to steal the secret process for cold fusion, which puts him at odds...

Chris Pine is in negotiations to star in a reboot of “The Saint,” based on the 1920s book series written by Leslie Charteris.

The movie follows Simon Templar, better known as The Saint, a Robin Hood-esque criminal and thief for hire who goes on a globetrotting adventure.

Dexter Fletcher (“Rocketman”) will direct the film and Seth Grahame-Smith wrote the script. Lorenzo Di Bonaventura is producing along with Brad Krevoy and Mark Vahradian. Robert Evans, who served as a producer on the original film and died in 2019, also helped produce.

Paramount and Pine have had strong ties for many years. Their relationship goes back to 2009 when the studio hired him to play Captain Kirk in the latest “Star Trek” franchise, launching his career as a leading man in the process. While the fourth “Star Trek” film is still being developed, the studio saw “The Saint” as the perfect role for Pine...

Chris Pine is lining up another action role. The actor is in talks to star in Paramount's reboot of the spy thriller The Saint, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. 

Rocketman filmmaker Dexter Fletcher is directing The Saint, based on the 1920 novel series written by Leslie Charteris. Seth Grahame-Smith penned the most recent draft of the script. 

A 1997 film adaptation starred Val Kilmer as a master of disguise, and the updated version is described as a globe-trotting film the studio hopes will start a franchise. Producers on The Saint include Lorenzo Dibonaventura, Robert Evans, Brad Krevoy and Mark Vahradian.

Pine starred ...

Chris Pine is lining up another action role. The actor is in talks to star in Paramount's reboot of the spy thriller The Saint, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. 

Rocketman filmmaker Dexter Fletcher is directing The Saint, based on the 1920 novel series written by Leslie Charteris. Seth Grahame-Smith penned the most recent draft of the script. 

A 1997 film adaptation starred Val Kilmer as a master of disguise, and the updated version is described as a globe-trotting film the studio hopes will start a franchise. Producers on The Saint include Lorenzo Dibonaventura, Robert Evans, Brad Krevoy and Mark Vahradian.

Pine starred ...

Another day, another reboot. Paramount Pictures has had its sights set on a new iteration of The Saint for some time now, and things are finally moving forward. It's been revealed that the studio has locked down director Dexter Fletcher, who most recently helmed last year's Elton John biopic Rocketman, to helm the reboot. If all goes according to plan, this could be the start of a new franchise. But let's not get too ahead of ourselves.

According to a new report, Dexter Fletcher has been tapped to direct The Saint. The script was penned by Seth Grahame-Smith. Grahame-Smith was also, it's worth noting, at one point on board to direct The Flash for Warner Bros. Paramount was behind Rocketman, which went on to become a critical and commercial success. With that, they decided to team back up with Fletcher for this hopeful franchise starter, which centers on a character,...

Joseph Baxter Feb 18, 2020

Dexter Fletcher, director of Elton John biopic Rocketman, is set to tackle Paramount’s reboot of classic TV franchise The Saint.

The Saint, and its exploits of Simon Templar, is readying a return with the shiny new halo that is a reboot movie; a notion that just became a lot more real with the appointment of highly-sought director Dexter Fletcher to the picture.

Studio Paramount has officially hired Fletcher to direct its remake of The Saint, according to Variety. The production will see Fletcher – who’s enjoying newfound momentum from acclaimed Elton John biopic Rocketman – work off a script by Seth Grahame-Smith, adapting the classic antihero spy-thief franchise of author Leslie Charteris’s 1928-1963 novels, which, after early film versions, were famously adapted for U.K. television as the 1962-1969 ITV series, The Saint, which starred a future James Bond, Roger Moore. The series managed to be a contemporaneously-rare global hit,...

After most reports say that he saved “Bohemian Rhapsody” and then went on to helm the Oscar-winning feature “Rocketman,” filmmaker Dexter Fletcher is understandably in high demand. The filmmaker is already signed on to direct “Sherlock Holmes 3,” as well as a new “Dracula” film, but it appears that he’s also lining up an action reboot of “The Saint.”

Read More: Dexter Fletcher To Direct A New Dracula Film ‘Renfield’ From ‘Walking Dead’ Creator Robert Kirkman

According to Variety, Paramount has signed Dexter Fletcher as the director of a new reboot of the classic action franchise, “The Saint.” For those unaware, “The Saint” is based on the 1920s novel series written by Leslie Charteris about a wealthy thief-for-hire that is on a Robin Hood-esque mission that targets corrupt politicians, warmongers, and other lowlifes.

Continue reading Dexter Fletcher To Direct A Reboot Of ‘The Saint’ For Paramount at The Playlist.

“Rocketman” director Dexter Fletcher is set to direct a remake of “The Saint,” the 1997 action film starring Val Kilmer, at Paramount, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.

Paramount is hoping “The Saint” could kick off a franchise, as the film is based on the globe-trotting 1920s novel series by Leslie Charteris.

Philip Noyce directed the 1997 film that starred Kilmer as Simon Templar, a thief for hire also known as The Saint, who is hired to steal the secret process for cold fusion. But the latest job ends up putting him at odds with a man bent on toppling the Russian government, as well as the woman who holds the secret.

Dexter Fletcher will direct from the most recent draft of the script by Seth Grahame-Smith. Lorenzo Dibonaventura is producing, and Brad Krevoy...

Deadline has confirmed that Rocketman director Dexter Fletcher is set to direct a redo of The Saint for Paramount.

The 1997 movie, directed by Phillip Noyce and starring Val Kilmer, followed Simon Templar (aka The Saint), a thief for hire. His job is to steal the secret process for cold fusion which puts him at odds with a traitor bent on toppling the Russian government, as well as the woman who holds its secret. The movie was spurred from the 1960s TV show starring Roger Moore, which was based on a 1920s book series by Leslie Charteris.

With a final domestic gross of $61.3 million and global take of $118M, 1997’s The Saint didn’t start a franchise.

Seth Grahame-Smith is writing the script for the new version of The Saint, which Lorenzo Di Bonaventura is producing along with Brad Krevoy and the late Robert Evans, posthumously.

After the success of its Elton John biopic “Rocketman,” Paramount has set filmmaker Dexter Fletcher to direct another high-profile project for the studio.

Fletcher will helm “The Saint,” a reboot of its 1997 action thriller that starred Val Kilmer. The globe-trotting adventure is based on the 1920s novel series written by Leslie Charteris.

Seth Grahame-Smith wrote the script for “The Saint,” while Lorenzo Di Bonaventura is producing along with Brad Krevoy and the late Robert Evans, posthumously.

The movie follows Simon Templar (a.k.a. The Saint), a Robin Hood-esque criminal and thief for hire. The book character also inspired a 1960’s TV show. While the ’90s film adaptation didn’t kickstart a franchise as hoped, the studio sees renewed potential for a long-running movie series.

“The Saint” will mark another genre film for Fletcher, who recently signed on to direct Universal’s monster movie “Renfield.” That adaptation will focus on R.

Following the success of the Elton John biopic Rocketman, director Dexter Fletcher is reteaming with Paramount for a reboot of the spy thriller The Saint.

The original 1997 movie, based on the 1920s novel series written by Leslie Charteris, starred Val Kilmer as a master of disguise who becomes an anti-hero while using the moniker of various saints and working in the underworld of international industrial theft and espionage. 

Seth Grahame-Smith (The Lego Batman Movie, Dark Shadows) wrote the most recent draft of the screenplay. 

Lorenzo di Bonaventura will produce, along with Grahame-Smith, Brad Krevoy and the late Robert ...

Following the success of the Elton John biopic Rocketman, director Dexter Fletcher is reteaming with Paramount for a reboot of the spy thriller The Saint.

The original 1997 movie, based on the 1920s novel series written by Leslie Charteris, starred Val Kilmer as a master of disguise who becomes an anti-hero while using the moniker of various saints and working in the underworld of international industrial theft and espionage. 

Seth Grahame-Smith (The Lego Batman Movie, Dark Shadows) wrote the most recent draft of the screenplay. 

Lorenzo di Bonaventura will produce, along with Grahame-Smith, Brad Krevoy and the late Robert ...

Guardians and Jurassic World star, Chris Pratt has entered into early talks to join Paramount Pictures reboot of TV series, ‘The Saint’.

Pratt would play the title role, Simon Templar, who was played by Roger Moore in the 60’s series. The plan is to build a franchise around Pratt is plans go in the right direction. Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Brad Krevoy and Robert Evans will produce.

Created by Leslie Charteris in the 20’s, The Saint became a hit in Britain in 60’s. The series ran for six seasons between 1962 and 1969 with Roger Moore in the titular role, Simon Templar. Templar helps those whom conventional agencies are powerless or unwilling to assist or protect, often using methods that skirt or are outside the law. Chief Inspector Claud Eustace Teal, his nominal nemesis, considers Templar a common criminal, but often grudgingly tolerates his actions for the greater good.

Also in news – ‘Jack...

Paul Bradshaw Nov 19, 2018

The Saint might be headed back to the big screen, with Chris Pratt in the lead role.

Chris Pratt is in early negotiations with Paramount Pictures to take the lead in a new movie reboot of The Saint. According to Deadline, producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura is aiming to bring Simon Templar back, with Pratt the current frontrunner for the role.

Created by Leslie Charteris in a series of books in the 1920s, Templar is a super-suave, ultra-charming vigilante – sort of like an unofficial James Bond without an official licence to kill. The books were first adapted into a radio series and a string of films in the 1940s, but the character became most well known in the 1960s thanks to Roger Moore’s starring role in the long-running British TV series.

Then came the 1997 Val Kilmer movie… While it wasn’t actually that bad, the film changed...

Paramount Pictures is in early negotiations with Chris Pratt to star in a movie reboot of “The Saint,” two decades after Val Kilmer’s thriller and 50 years after Roger Moore’s TV series.

Pratt’s deal is not closed. He became a worldwide star after headlining Disney-Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies and “Avengers: Infinity War” (2018) and its upcoming sequel (2019). He also starred in “Passengers” with Jennifer Lawrence, and long-running NBC sitcom “Parks and Recreation.”

The studio secured a deal for book series rights in 2016 and set up a producing deal with Lorenzo di Bonaventura with the goal of starting an action franchise.

“The Saint” is based on Leslie Charteris’ book series, which follow the debonair Simon Templar character first introduced in the 1928 novel “Meet the Tiger,” followed by “Enter the Saint” in 1930. Templar stole from corrupt politicians and warmongers, leaving a calling card of a stick figure with a halo.

Development continues on a new TV series based on author Leslie Charteris'  crime-fighting vigilante 'Simon Templar' aka "The Saint":

The script is based on the works of author Leslie Charteris, focusing on master thief/vigilante  'Simon Templar'.

The character has been featured in a long-running series of books by Charteris published between 1928 and 1963.

Rko owns the rights to several films based on "The Saint", including the 1938 feature "The Saint in New York".

"The Saint" has previously been adapted for several motion pictures, radio dramas, comic strips, comic books and three television series.

Templar is known as 'The Saint' because of his initials (St) and because his heroic exploits fly in the face of an otherwise nefarious reputation. Templar has aliases, often using the initials 'S.T.' such as 'Sebastian Tombs' or 'Sugarman Treacle'.

His true name is unknown, and the name 'Templar' was...

Stars: Adam Rayner, Eliza Dushku, Roger Moore, James Remar, Thomas Kretschmann, Enrique Murciano, Sammi Hanratty, Kirsty Mitchell, Yani Gellman, Greg Grunberg, Beatrice Rosen, Ian Ogilvy, Alec Secareanu, Sonalii Castillo, Christopher Villiers | Written by Jesse Alexander, Tony Giglio | Directed by Ernie Barbarash

An expanded version of a failed TV pilot, whose first trailer debuted waaay back in 2013, this iteration of The Saint is already on the backfoot before it begins. You have a rejected pilot, “fixed” with reshoots, Twice(!) – which is why Ernie Barbarash is now the credited director and not Simon West (Con Air, Tomb Raider) who is now credited as Executive Producer instead – and featuring not one but Two previous Saints in the cast, Roger Moore and Ian Ogilvy, just to remind you of how good both actors were in the role… Oh, and then there’s memories of the Val Kilmer movie to sour the audiences view...

Last week, the front page of The New York Times mourned the death of Roger Moore. Shockingly, they ran a photo from Live and Let Die showing the actor, as James Bond, in bed with Jane Seymour, right there on the front page.

How fitting. But there’s a catch. While I’m a big James Bond fan, amongst 007 fans, Sean Connery is always revered at the “real” face of Bond. I get that. And if fact, when I read James Bond prose adventures I generally conjure up Connery’s face and voice as I visualize the scenes.

On the other hand… there was a 70s sentiment that admonished us all to love the one we’re with. And growing up, Roger Moore was the Bond I was with.

I clearly remember the day when my parents were debating the merits of taking my brother, Colin, and me to see a movie.

Roger Moore, who died Tuesday at age 89, is best remembered for playing superspy James Bond in seven movies from 1973 to 1985. But he had a storied career in Hollywood before and after his record turn as 007. Maverick (1960-61) Roger Moore was born in the U.K. but got his start as an MGM contract player in the 1950s. His first big breaks came in television, including this Western starring James Garner as a frontier cardsharp. The Saint (1962-69) Moore became a household name as the star of this hit small-screen spy thriller, which was based on Leslie Charteris’ books about the.

Roger Moore, the beloved actor best known for playing James Bond in the ’70s and ’80s, died in Switzerland on Tuesday. He was 89.

The star’s children broke the news in a statement uploaded to Twitter, noting that Moore passed away after a “short but brave battle with cancer.”

“We are all devastated,” Moore’s family tweeted alongside the statement.

“The love with which he was surrounded in his final days was so great it cannot be quantified with words alone,” his three children — Deborah, Geoffrey and Christian — wrote in the statement.

With the heaviest of hearts, we must share...

In 1928, the writer Leslie Charteris created "The Saint", a story about a catholic spy named Simon Templar, who save the world by pretending to work for the bad guys but in the end he defeat them or turn them to the police. In the 1960s a famous tv series starring Roger Moore made the character popular even though the character borrowed a lot from James Bond, and then later the Simon Templar actor became a James Bond actor. In 1997, Paramount Pictures released a blockbuster movie of "The Saint" starring Val Kilmer, and the movie did a good profit with $169 million. However in the year later,  the movie has become forgotten, and even to this day, critics were very harsh on the movie,...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

It's ring-a-ding time, with producer-star Frank Sinatra and his cooperative director Gordon Douglas doing a variation on the hipster detective saga. The two Tony Rome pictures are lively and fun and chock-ful of borderline offensive content, like smash-zooms into women's rear ends. Tony Rome & Lady in Cement Blu-ray Twilight Time 1967, 1968 / Color / 2:35 widescreen / 110 and 93 min. / Street Date September 8, 2016 / Available from the Twilight Time Movies Store / 29.95 Starring Frank Sinatra, Richard Conte; Tony Rome: Jill St. John, Sue Lyon, Gena Rowlands, Simon Oakland, Lloyd Bochner, Robert J. Wilke, Virginia Vincent, Joan Shawlee, Lloyd Gough, Rocky Graziano, Elisabeth Fraser, Shecky Greene, Jeanne Cooper, Joe E. Ross, Tiffany Bolling, Deanna Lund. Lady in Cement: Raquel Welch, Dan Blocker, Martin Gabel, Lainie Kazan, Paul Mungar, Richard Deacon, Joe E. Lewis, Bunny Yeager. Cinematography Joseph Biroc Original Music Billy May, Hugo Montenegro; song by Lee Hazelwood and Nancy Sinatra Written by Richard L. Breen...

Paramount has secured the film rights to Leslie Charteris' novel series "The Saint" with plans to launch another franchise for the studio.

The story follows Simon Templar, a smart, quick-witted man who went after the scourges of the Earth - corrupt politicians, war profiteers, drug runners - to benefit his country and the greater good.

Lorenzo di Bonaventura, Brad Krevoy and Robert Evans are expected to produce the film - twenty years on since the release of the Phil Noyce-directed previous film adaptation starring Val Kilmer.

The best known adaptation remains the TV series which starred Roger Moore in the title role.

Source: Deadline...

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2: Director James Gunn announced via social media that production on Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 has been completed. While answering questions prompted by his announcement, he said: "I'm tired & I'm not sure I want to do [Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3]. Two completely different things news outlets have conflated for clicks. … I'm Always tired at the end of a shoot. It has nothing to do with whether I agree to do [Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3] or something else." [Twitter] The Saint: Simon Templar will return to the big screen. The character, also known as The Saint, was created by author Leslie Charteris in a series of books published between 1928 and 1963, adapted for television in a show that...

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There's another reboot on the horizon. Deadline reports Paramount has secured the film rights for a new adaptation of The Saint.

Originally a book series by Leslie Charteris, the story follows "Simon Templar, a smart, quick-witted man who went after the scourges of the Earth — corrupt politicians, war profiteers, drug runners — to benefit his country and the greater good."

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Nearly 20 years after Val Kilmer took on the role, a new take on The Saint/Simon Templar is heading to the movies...

When Val Kilmer left the role of Batman after 1995's Batman Forever, he jumped from on big franchise to what was expected to be another. He took on the lead role in 1997's movie of The Saint, directed by Phillip Noyce. It was expected to lead to box office gold. But following not great reviews, the film failed to really connect, and a planned franchise was abandoned. 

Just under 20 years later, however, The Saint is on his way back.

Based once more on the books by Leslie Charteris, Paramount is working on a new movie, having resecured the rights to the novels, and it has its eyes on a new action franchise. It's going to be a movie series too, rather than the plans for a new TV show,...

While Paramount is currently in production on the next installment of its Transformers franchise with Transformers: The Last Knight, the studio is planning on launching a much different franchise. The studio has acquired the rights to Leslie Charteris' long-running book series The Saint for a new movie reboot. The studio previously distributed the 1997 version of The Saint, which starred Val Kilmer and Elizabeth Shue.

Leslie Charteris original book series, which ran from 1928 to 1963, followed Simon Templar, a thief who would pull off elaborate heists, stealing from corrupt politicians, drug dealers and other criminals and spread their wealth among the less fortunate. The books were adapted into a 1960s British TV series which starred Roger Moore as Simon Templar. There was also a recent attempt to revitalize the property as an American TV series, which will now be released as a TV movie later this year, starring Adam Rayner (Tyrant) as Simon Templar,...

Cinema Retro has received the following press release from Shout! Factory:

Modern-day Robin Hood. Wealthy man of mystery. Debonair rogue. Call Simon Templar what you will, but never cross The Saint. A timeless figure of adventure since his creation by Leslie Charteris in 1928, The Saint has thrilled adventure aficionados with his exploits in a variety of media, including novels, movies, and radio—but nowhere was the dashing Mr. Templar more indelibly realized than in his 1960s television series, presented here in one outstanding collection: The Saint: The Complete Series. Fans of the dashing spy will finally be able to revisit his adventures with the release of The Saint: The Complete Series on DVD from Timeless Media Group, a division of Shout! Factory, LLC.

Available for the first time as a complete series, the 33-dvd box set features all 118 episodes of the classic espionage show, including first 71 episodes of...

Some of the greatest (or at least heavily favored) American television shows got the big screen treatment when they were selected to have their small screen following turn into a cinematic experience. Unfortunately, for every beloved nostalgic television show that translated successfully in movie theaters (The Brady Bunch Movie, Star Trek, Batman, etc.) there are boob tube stinkers that overtake the good crop. Sure, there are middle-of-the-road movie adaptations of television programs that have a mixed bag reception (1997’s Leave It To Beaver, 1987’s Dragnet, 2012’s Dark Shadows, etc.). Nevertheless, it is always the unflattering fare that receive the bulk of the attention (do you register, 1999’s The Wild, Wild West ?).

In Boob on the Tube: Top Ten Worst Movie Adaptations of TV Shows we will take a look at the top ten televised offenders that dared to venture into cinema’s stratosphere only to end up floating down shamefully...

It's been long in the works, but ITV has now confirmed that it's ordered a pilot for a revival of The Saint.

Set to go into production in 2016, this new take from writers Ed Whitmore (Arthur & George) and Chris Lunt (Prey) promises to bring Simon Templar - a roguish Robin Hood for the modern day - to a whole new audience.

But who could possibly follow in the esteemed footsteps of Sir Roger Moore (and Ian Ogilvy... and, erm, Val Kilmer) in bringing Leslie Charteris's gentleman thief to life? Digital Spy has picked out 12 potentials.

1. James Norton

Last year, Norton delivered two spectacularly disparate performances - as reprehensible Tommy Lee Royce on BBC One's Happy Valley and as 'sexy vicar' Sidney Chambers on ITV's Grantchester. Take a little of Royce's edginess, add a dash of Chambers's charm and you might just have yourself the perfect Saint.

2. Matthew Goode...

ITV is planning a revival of 1960s drama The Saint.

The broadcaster has commissioned a pilot episode penned by Ed Whitmore (Arthur & George) and Chris Lunt (Prey).

According to the Radio Times, the pilot will go into production in 2016.

The Saint was originally created by Leslie Charteris, and starred Roger Moore from 1962 to 1969.

The series follows the character of Simon Templar, a criminal who is known for leaving a stick figure with a halo at the scene of his crimes.

Whitmore said: "There is a post-Breaking Bad appetite for morally grey characters. Simon Templar is a kind of Robin Hood figure - he's timeless."

The writer's new drama Arthur & George, based on a real-life investigation involving Sherlock Holmes creator Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, will launch on ITV on Monday (March 2).

Watch a trailer for Arthur & George below:...

Outside of his stint as James Bond, Roger Moore's most iconic other role was that of the well dressed Simon Templar, the titular hero of the 1960s TV series "The Saint".

Today, The Radio Times reports that ITV is planning to reboot the franchise with a pilot being ordered for a modern day incarnation of the series. Leslie Charteris created the original novels that inspired the series which produced 118 episodes and was popular in over sixty countries.

Ed Whitmore ("Waking the Dead") and Chris Lunt ("Prey") are penning the pilot for the new version which aims to go into production next year. Whittier says the aim is to produce a show that explores the morals of a man who both fought and committed crimes to do what's right: "There is a post-Breaking Bad appetite for morally grey characters... Simon Templar is a kind of Robin Hood figure, he's timeless.

Audrey Long, actress in B film noirs and Westerns, and widow of author Leslie Charteris, dead at 92 (photo: Audrey Long publicity shot ca. late '40s) Actress Audrey Long, a leading lady in mostly B crime dramas and Westerns of the '40s and early '50s, and the widow of The Saint creator Leslie Charteris, died "after a long illness" on September 19, 2014, in Virginia Water, Surrey, England. Long was 92. Her death was first reported by Ian Dickerson on the website LeslieCharteris.com. Born on April 14 (some sources claim April 12), 1922, in Orlando, Florida, Audrey Long was the daughter of an English-born Episcopal minister, who later became a U.S. Navy Chaplain. Her early years were spent moving about North America, in addition to some time in Honolulu. According to Dickerson's Audrey Long tribute on the Leslie Charteris site, following acting lessons with coach Dorothea Johnson, whose pupils had also included...

Audrey Long, who starred opposite John Wayne in the 1944 Western Tall in the Saddle and in a pair of film noir favorites directed by Anthony Mann and Robert Wise three years later, has died. She was 92. Long, who was married to Leslie Charteris, the author of The Saint adventure books, from 1952 until his death in 1993, died Sept. 19 after a long illness, according to Ian Dickerson of the website LeslieCharteris.com. With her husband (played by Steve Brodie), Long's character fled from the cops and a crook (Raymond Burr) in Mann’s 1947 crime thriller Desperate. Also in May

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To coincide with the final installments of Poirot on Acorn TV, Acorn media are releasing two Agatha Christie boxsets on 5 August. These boxsets include previously released episodes that have been pieced together in best-of-the-best collections that will be a must-have for die-hard fans of the author and her two most famous creations: Poirot and Marple.

Agatha Christie’s Poirot Fan Favorites Collection features David Suchet in six episodes produced across a 25 year time span. Murder on the Orient Express (Series 12, 2010); Hercule Poirot’s Christmas (Series 6, 1995); The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Series 3, 1990); The ABC Murders (Series 4, 1992); The Adventure of the Egyptian Tomb (Series 5, 1993); and Four and Twenty Blackbirds (Series 1, 1989). As a story, Murder on the Orient Express ranks as one of my favorites and this particular adaptation is very good. It’s somewhat surprising that ITV waited until 2010 to produce a Suchet version of the...