Bill Lawrence Scared of "Fletch Won;" Recruiting Zach Braff
"Scrubs" creator and producer Bill Lawrence is planning to shoot his first feature film, "Fletch Won," during his hiatus this spring. He hopes to enlist Zach Braff to play the title role, but already the task of writing and directing is a scary prospect for the TV mogul.
"I have been so comfortable in the TV business for so long, I've not operated without a net," said Lawrence. "So I am so scared about doing 'Fletch' because I just have nightmares about f***ing it up. Not only would it bum me out personally, but I'm such a fan, it's the first time I've ever done anything that all my closest friends that I grew up with have each taken the time to call me and said, 'If you mess this up, we're going to kill you.'"
Based on Gregory McDonald's prequel novel, "Fletch Won" is the story of ace investigative journalist Irwin Fletcher's first story. Set before the 1985 Chevy Chase movie and originally written in early '80s, the film will take place in present day.

"I modernized it. I think it's more tonally close to the book than anything else because the first one was Chevy Chase in his kind of sketch arena. It's not as sketchy [but] it's not that close to the book. I used definitely a lot of the plot elements but tonally, it's a lot closer to the book and the books than the first 'Fletch' movie was. I'm a huge Greg McDonald fan. I read all the novels before I even saw the movie. The dialogue just pops. You can basically cut out pages and just shoot them, the guy writes such good dialogue."
Of course, that's not how Lawrence wrote the script. "I probably should have. He's a better writer than I am."
"I have been so comfortable in the TV business for so long, I've not operated without a net," said Lawrence. "So I am so scared about doing 'Fletch' because I just have nightmares about f***ing it up. Not only would it bum me out personally, but I'm such a fan, it's the first time I've ever done anything that all my closest friends that I grew up with have each taken the time to call me and said, 'If you mess this up, we're going to kill you.'"
Based on Gregory McDonald's prequel novel, "Fletch Won" is the story of ace investigative journalist Irwin Fletcher's first story. Set before the 1985 Chevy Chase movie and originally written in early '80s, the film will take place in present day.

"I modernized it. I think it's more tonally close to the book than anything else because the first one was Chevy Chase in his kind of sketch arena. It's not as sketchy [but] it's not that close to the book. I used definitely a lot of the plot elements but tonally, it's a lot closer to the book and the books than the first 'Fletch' movie was. I'm a huge Greg McDonald fan. I read all the novels before I even saw the movie. The dialogue just pops. You can basically cut out pages and just shoot them, the guy writes such good dialogue."
Of course, that's not how Lawrence wrote the script. "I probably should have. He's a better writer than I am."
Related Items
| Celeb: | Bill Lawrence |
| Chevy Chase | |
| Zach Braff | |
| Movie: | Fletch |
| Fletch Lives | |
| Scrubs - The Complete First Season | |
| Fletch Won |
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on Jan 29 2007 11:58 AM I like Braff in Scrubs and Garden State (he was funny in Arrested Development too!) but Chevy Chase played Fletch with a lot of sarcasm and understated comedy. I'm just used to Braff's in-your-face comedy in Scrubs. Maybe there's someone better for the role, I don't know who though. (Reply to this) |
![]() on Jan 29 2007 02:48 PM Scrubs is a hilarious show. If the guy who created that is making a movie with one of my favorite actors in the lead, I'm in. (Reply to this) |
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on Jan 30 2007 01:06 AM We all know Zach Braff can pull off subtle humor a la Garden State. I know that probably isn't the style of humor they're aiming for here, but I wouldn't hold it past him to pull it off. (Reply to this) |
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on Jan 30 2007 07:40 AM They should get Dr. Cox to do it. Everybody knows he's the reason people watch scrubs. Him or the Janitor. (Reply to this) |
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on Jan 30 2007 07:42 AM Dr. Cox is awesome but JD will make a great Fletch...hopefully. (Reply to this) |
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on Jan 30 2007 08:12 AM I'm on board with this one. I'm usually against remakes and prequels, but this one just has a feel. And it's inspired, which is always nice. Braff has delivered in the past and he (and Lawrence) both continue to bring the goods on 'Scrubs'. See ya at the ticket counter. (Reply to this) |
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