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London -- ITV has commissioned eight new Agatha Christie films, among them a remake of "Murder on the Orient Express," as part of a renewed output deal with British producer Chorion, which owns rights to the Christie estate.

The eight movies will include four starring David Suchet as legendary Belgian detective Hercule Poirot and four to star "Cranford" actress Julia McKenzie as Miss Marple.

ITV has enjoyed success with a series of Christie remakes from Chorion including "At Bertram's Hotel," which also aired on PBS in the U.S. The shows will be executive produced by Chorion's Phil Clymer.

ITV director of drama Laura Mackie said the franchises have "enduring" appeal for viewers. "There is always an appetite for a really good whodunit," she said. "And these really are the best whodunits on television."...

Children of Men star Clive Owen is about to have a very fertile film year. The actor, who recently wrapped production on the Elizabeth sequel The Golden Age and toplines the action thriller Shoot 'Em Up opposite Monica Bellucci later this year, has inked a deal with Universal and Strike Entertainment to bring Raymond Chandler's classic noir detective Philip Marlowe to the big screen. Children producers Marc Abraham and Eric Newman optioned the rights to a series of Chandler mysteries and will produce untitled project with Chorion's Phil Clymer. Previous incarnations of the private eye include Humphrey Bogart in The Big Sleep and Elliot Gould in Robert Altman's The Long Goodbye.