Scrubs Scribe to Adapt Fletch Prequel

I am a huge fan of the original Fletch movies, and I remember Kevin Smith being attached to this film at one point, and thinking how cool that would be. But now Bill Lawrence is adapting, so I am once again my interest is rising. Below is the release.

The Weinstein Company is proud to announce that Bill Lawrence (Emmy nominated Scrubs) has signed on to adapt and direct Fletch Won, based on the book of the same name in the successful 1980’s Fletch franchise of mystery/comedy novels written by Gregory Mcdonald. Lawrence is expected to direct the film in April 2007 during his hiatus from Scrubs. Fletch Won will be the first feature film Lawrence will direct. David List is a producer on the project. No cast is attached yet. The announcement was made today by Michael Cole, co-president of production for The Weinstein Company.

Fletch Won predates the first seven books in the series, and follows the early days of the title character’s journalism career as a junior reporter in his 20’s working at the News-Tribune.

Cole stated, stated “This is an important franchise for our company and we can’t think of a better person than Bill to take the Fletch story all the way back to the beginning. His work on Scrubs speaks for itself and his ideas for adapting Fletch Won are hilarious and incredibly smart.” 

Bill Lawrence stated, “The coolest thing about the Fletch Won book is that it’s an origin story. Like Batman Begins, I think people will enjoy seeing how Irwin Fletcher became Fletch. Not only can I recite the original Fletch movie line for line, I actually read all the Greg Mcdonald books as a kid. Consider me obsessed, – I’m going to try as hard as I can not to screw this up.”

Cole and Carla Gardini, senior vice president of production, will oversee the project on behalf of The Weinstein Company.