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'Muppets' Director James Bobin Recruiting 'Agent Zigzag' for Movie

by Ethan Anderton
June 19, 2012
Source: Variety

In addition to prepping a sequel to The Muppets, which successfully brought the Jim Henson creations back to the big screen with love, care and hilarity, director James Bobin has just landed another directing gig with Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman producing through their Playtone Pictures production banner. Variety says Bobin will be at the helm of Agent Zigzag, an adaptation of Ben McIntyre's non-fiction book of the same, which tells the true story of Eddie Chapman, a professional criminal who became a highly effective double agent during WWII by winning the trust of German intelligence services like a real bad-ass.

As the book is described on Amazon, for those curious:

"Eddie Chapman was a charming criminal, a con man, and a philanderer. He was also one of the most remarkable double agents Britain has ever produced. Inside the traitor was a man of loyalty; inside the villain was a hero. The problem for Chapman, his spymasters, and his lovers was to know where one persona ended and the other began. Based on recently declassified files, Agent Zigzag tells Chapman’s full story for the first time. It’s a gripping tale of loyalty, love, treachery, espionage, and the thin and shifting line between fidelity and betrayal."

Sounds like there's the potential for a lot of comedy and drama here, maybe something akin to Catch Me If You Can. These kind of stories always interest me, where espionage and double lives create just as many problems as they do solutions in a time of war. Confessions of a Dangerous Mind is a film that I really enjoy, and while it's not the same kind of story, Argo has the same kind of intrigue and tone that I like from movies like this. It's not clear how soon Bobin will get this project off the ground with The Muppets sequel on his plate, but we'll do our best to keep you updated.

Filed under Development, Movie News

From around the web:

Ehsan Davodi

From Lovely Muppets to Natzie Basterds !!! Wonderful Plot but Little Repetitive War Horse was cool, Inglorious Basterds was outstanding. I miss for another serious WWII like " Great Scape " or " Where Eagel Dare " too. Good Luck James
http://www.facebook.com/brotchscandy Jim Vines

Oh God yes. This is one of my favorite books about one of my favorite people of all time. Eddie Chapman was the perfect real life rogue anti-hero. Everyone here should read the book. I've been waiting for Playtone to move forward with this, and I'm glad they got Bobin. The Muppets was wonderful. Can't wait!
- Ehsan Davodi
  
  Mr.Jim you read the book, can you tell me this movie must focus more on what aspect of book till film become winner? End of book is tragic or not? Thank You Dude
  - dom
    
    Not so much a tragedy at the end.. more a mystery.
    - Ehsan Davodi
      
      WWII mystery so cool! Sent from my iPod
dom

Always thought this would make for a great film. I knew Tom Hanks had the rights to it for some time now, but the Muppets director? Really? Oh well, lets see what happens. They really need to make this feel european in order for it to work properly. This isn't an american story!
dom

Oh and lets get Micahel Fasbender for this one! Perfect match.
- thejon93rd
  
  As soon as I saw the picture, as well as read the description, I immediately was thinking the exact same thing. I've got that amazing scene from X-Men: First Class playing in my mind now, that scene where Erik intimidates the hell outta some banker. Anyhow, this sounds like it'll be a fun project all around (no matter who they cast).