Michael Hoffman To Direct GAMBIT

Mike Lobell will finally be able to make the Joel and Ethan Coen- scripted remake of Gambit.  The project has been in the works for a number of years and is based on the British comedy caper starring Michael Caine and Shirley MacLaine from 1966.

Financing will be possible thanks to an upstart company, Crime Scene Pictures.  Michael Hoffman, who directed The Last Station, has signed on to direct. Foreign distribution rights will be sold by FilmNation's Glen Basner so that  the picture can begin to film in London next May.

The 1966 film had Caine as a cat burglar who attempts to rob a billionaire of his priceless statue and enlists the help of a waitress who is a dead ringer for the victim's late wife. The burglary had been planned out to the last detail, but the job goes nothing but normal thanks the involvement of the pretty accomplice played by MacLaine.  

Adam Ripp and Rob Paris started Crime Scene Pictures with equity from Southeast Asia.  Their plan is to fund 4-6 pictures over three years with budgets ranging from $2 million to $20 million.  Casting will begin shortly on the remake.  

What are your thoughts of this news?  Who do you think should play the leads?