The frequently busy John Singleton has signed a deal with Paramount to bring Tom Clancy's "Without Remorse" to the big screen. The project looks to be the beginning of a new franchise, if everything goes according to plan.

Says The Hollywood Reporter: "John Singleton has signed on to adapt and direct the Tom Clancy espionage thriller "Without Remorse" for Paramount Pictures. The film, which Paramount envisions as part of a possible franchise, marks the Hollywood return of Michael Ovitz, who will serve as producer.

"Without Remorse" centers on former Navy SEAL and CIA operative John Kelly, code-named Mr. Clark, who first appeared in "Clear and Present Danger" (played by Willem Dafoe). The novel, which was published in 1993 by Putnam, spawned a previous film version, which was in development at Savoy Pictures and was shut down during preproduction in 1995.

Singleton said he aims to make the film in line with the Phillip Noyce-helmed Clancy thrillers he is a fan of, "Clear and Present Danger" and "Patriot Games.""

--

Other films based on Clancy works include "The Hunt for Red October," "The Sum of All Fears," and the upcoming "Splinter Cell."