LATEST NEWS
'The Shield' Creator Adpating Tom Clancy's 'Without Remorse'
by Ethan Anderton
October 21, 2010
Source: Vulture
Although his gritty police drama "The Shield" has been over for a couple years, executive producer Shawn Ryan has been standing strong with successful series like "Lie to Me" on Fox and now "Terriers" on FX. But now it looks like the TV creator and producer is making the jump to the big screen. Vulture reports Ryan has been hired to write an adaptation of Tom Clancy's 1993 novel Without Remorse, which follows recurring character John Kelly as opposed to the cinematically familiar Jack Ryan. In addition, it looks like writers and producers Alex Kurtzman & Roberto Orci (Star Trek, Transformers) will be producing this.
Though a young Jack Ryan makes an appearance in the novel, the story is concerned with John Kelly (who, in later books, assumes the identity John Clark) as he gets involved in a secret operation to rescue 20 American pilots from a North Vietnamese prison camp. Several other story arcs are prominent in the book including Kelly's crusade against a large drug ring responsible for the death of his pregnant girlfriend. Ironically enough, the detective investigating the string of drug dealer murders is none other than Emmet Ryan, father of the Clancy favorite character Jack Ryan. Though the novel is set in a specific period in the past, it may not take that form on screen.
John Kelly/Clark has appeared in the previous Jack Ryan centric films like Clear and Present Danger (Willem Dafoe) and The Sum of All Fears (Liev Schreiber). Apparently Paramount is looking to craft a whole Tom Clancy universe that seems like a strange blend of the connectivity of The Avengers and the action and intrigue of the Jason Bourne saga. Since the studio gave up distribution rights for The Avengers and Iron Man 3 to Disney, they're looking for their own franchise to hang onto in the near future. Considering this new project and development on Jack Ryan flick in the form of Moscow starring Chris Pine and directed by Jack Bender, I'd say they're on the right track. What do you guys think?
9 Comments
1
Shawn Ryan also produced and co-ran (with David Mamet) the CBS series The Unit, a show about a black ops unit based upon the career of former Delta Force operator Eric L Haney. That's probably more relevant to this project than his work with "Lie To Me". The Unit was a truly awesome show, one of the best and most realistic action series I've ever seen.
Aaron on Oct 21, 2010
2
3
I love this. Ryan is one of my favorite TV producers and both The Unit and The Shield are among my favorite TV shows of all time. It'll be interesting, though, to see how he makes the transition to movies. I'm excited for this!
Blake on Oct 21, 2010
4
Chris Hemsworth for John Clark get Michael Mann to direct
loser on Oct 21, 2010
5
Chris Hemsworth has the body, but is nowhere near the look that this character needs. He isn't hardened enough.
Vaderscustoms on Jan 30, 2011
6
Well, having seen only a small amount of this guys work I'm still excited. Without Remorse is one of Clancy's most action packed titles and I think it will translate really well to film.
Adam on Oct 21, 2010
7
This is my favorite Clancy book and i really hope that they do it justice. On one hand I can understand why they would want to update it but on the other in my Opinion it is perfect just the way it is. #4 is write you need someone big to be Kelly/Clark
Brett on Oct 21, 2010
8
Brett I agree, this is one of my all time favorite characters. I really hope that they take into consideration that this character is iconic in Tom Clancy novels and they pick the right cast. I don't think that they need to go over board with big name actors. I think it would ruin the movie. If anything make the admirals and the down pilot a bigger name, but that's it. The guy they choose to play John Kelly(Clark) needs to have that look. The 1000 yd stare. He needs to be hardened a bit, not one of these soft male models or a big name actor tryin to play hard. The women in this story will also need to be carefully chosen. The women in this movie make this movie what it is.
Vaderscustoms on Jan 30, 2011
9
Ever since I read the novel over ten years ago I have been aching to see it adapted to the big screen. This is a terrific, intense and multifaceted story (like all Clancy works) and it sets the ground work for many that could follow. I look forward to this.
Brucet1953 on Mar 7, 2011
New comments are no longer allowed on this post.
FEATURED POSTS
FOLLOW FS HERE
Follow Alex's main account on Twitter:
Add our posts to your Feedly › click here
Get all the news sent on Telegram 
LATEST TO WATCH