Steven Soderbergh is in talks to helm a film adaptation of the mid-1960s television series ‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E.’. The Academy Award-winning director will most likely re-team with screenwriter Scott Z. Burns, who wrote his films ‘The Informant!’ and the currently in-production ‘Contagion.’
There’s no word yet on what tone Soderbergh will take with ‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E.,’ as he’s directed such lighter movies as ‘Ocean’s Eleven,’ and darker projects, including ‘Traffic’ and ‘Solaris.’ But the show, which aired between 1964 and 1968, followed American and Russian spies who worked for the United Network Command for Law Enforcement agency.
At first, the film was going to have a comedic tone when it was picked up by Warner Brothers. However, after original director David Dobkin, who helmed ‘Wedding Crashers,’ and screenwriter Max Borenstein left their respective roles, the studio turned to Soderbergh and Burns. Dobkin will stay on as a producer, however.
There’s also no word yet when Soderbergh will actually begin filming ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E,’ as his movie ‘Haywire’ is currently awaiting release. The Hollywood Reporter has suggested that he will begin filming at the end of 2011, after he finishes ‘Contagion.’
Written by: Karen Benardello
