ROTTEN TOMATOES: "Scrubs" Master to Revisit "Fletch"

"Scrubs" Master to Revisit "Fletch"

by Scott Weinberg | July 26, 2006

For a while there it actually looked like a new "Fletch" flick would come via Kevin Smith and Jason Lee, but unfortunately it never came to pass -- and now comes word that "Scrubs" creator Bill Lawrence has been signed by the Weinstein House to kick-start the "Fletch" series.

ComingSoon.net actually scooped the big boys on this news: "(CS.net) has confirmed that "Spin City" co-creator and "Scrubs" creator Bill Lawrence will write and direct the next two "Fletch" films for The Weinstein Company, of which the first remains "Fletch Won" ... Now that Lawrence is indeed on board, (Zach) Braff definitely has an edge over other actors."

Then The Hollywood Reporter chimed in with some extra clarification: ""Scrubs" creator Bill Lawrence is writing and directing a prequel to the '80s franchise "Fletch," and if he has his way, Zach Braff will star in the title role. The Weinstein Co. has signed Lawrence to helm and adapt Gregory Mcdonald's 1985 comic-mystery novel "Fletch Won," which follows the irreverent detective from his early days as a ne'er-do-well junior newspaper reporter to his partnership with a crime reporter to solve a murder."

Good news for all, but let's hope this doesn't mean the end of "Scrubs."

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(1-5 of 5 posts) | Reply

frogleg writes:
on Jul 26 2006 06:16 AM

I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I actually would probably rather see a Fletch sequel starring Chase.
I'm one of the few that feels bad that his career hit the skids.

(Reply to this)

IMAmoose24 writes:
on Jul 26 2006 06:24 AM

I wouldnt mind seeing Chase reprising his role, but he's old and i doubt he'd do it. As for someone else, glad to see Braff taking it. He's one of my favorites in hollywood.

(Reply to this)

dax0761 writes:
on Jul 26 2006 07:02 AM

[b]WHY?[/b]
Why does Hollywood keep updating classic movies with new actors? I can understand Superman or Bond . But look at Miami Vice while it may be a good movie Michael Mann has bitten off more he can chew this time. Crocket is Don Johnson . PMT is Tubbs granted their star power has fallen but this movie will kill Miami Vice . The only hope is if Yerkovich does a Tv movie with the real guys. As for Fletch it was Chevy Chase whos personality brought Fletch to life. Braff is great but he is not Fletch!! As a child you are taught to Stop ,Look And Listen Clearly Hollywood has re-entered infancy!

(Reply to this)

Crenshaw writes:
on Jul 26 2006 09:30 AM

I loved Chase in the early Fletch movies, but I have to agree his time is past - especially for a prequel. I really love the idea of Braff in the role. He has the same subtle style that Chase has, but comes off as more genuine. A good choice also when you consider the course material, which *is* a franchise of sorts.

(Reply to this)

Boss Fan writes:
on Jul 26 2006 10:08 AM

Um, yeah, why isn't Kevin Smith doing this? I remember hearing it was going to be his next project after "Dogma." I forgot all about it until now, but I never heard why, like his stab at "Superman" which is now Hollywood lore, it fell through. Especially considering that probably the only way Smith can get butt's in the seat outside of his Jay/Bob/slacker movies is to remake something familiar. I love Smith and (nearly) all of his films, but let's face it, even his best films don't exactly become blockbusters (his largest gross is in the low $30 mills). So if he wants to jump start his career and move away from constantly going back to the same well, he should find a way to attach himself to a project like this. There are apparently $30 million dollars worth of Kevin Smith fans who will turn out to see one of his films just because they see Smith's name or Jay and Bob in the preview, but there are plenty of people who don't like, have never heard of, or are too young to remember "Clerks" and "Chasing Amy." "Jersey Girl" proved he can't just up and make a romantic comedy, so give him a remake or update of something his heart is in and in a genre he knows and respects. There are always rumors he will get there but then it bottoms out (just this week he said he will probably not do Green Hornet any time soon).

On the other front, I love the quick, witty writing on Scrubs and Spin City, so if Smith isn't gonna do this, Bill Lawrance seems like a fine substitute. Braff would be fine, but I too have a soft spot for Chase. As long as they don't make it a stupid star vehicle for a non-comic, big name: Brad Pitt as Fletch! F that.

(Reply to this)

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