Dwayne Johnson's Spy Thriller THE JANSON DIRECTIVE Will Launch a Robert Ludlum Cinamatic Universe
Dwayne Johnson definitely keeps himself busy making movies. They guy is filling up his schedule with a ton of film projects, and he just added a whole new franchise on his list of movies to make.
He has teamed up with Universal Pictures and screenwriter James Vanderbilt (Zodiac, Spider-Man 2) to develop a cinematic universe built around Robert Ludlum's spy novels, and it will start with The Janson Directive, which Johnson is set to star in. Some of the other books that will be included in the franchise include The Parsifal Mosaic, The Sigma Protocol, and Covert One. All of these will take place in the same cinematic universe.
If you're not familiar with The Janson Directive, here's an official description of the book:
When billionaire philanthropist Peter Novak is kidnapped by a terrorist known as The Caliph, it’s up to Paul Janson — a legend in the notorious U.S. covert agency Consular Operations — to save him. But Janson’s rescue operation goes horribly wrong…and soon Janson is marked for death, the target of a “beyond salvage” order issued from the highest level of the government. Now Janson is running for his life, pursued by Jessica Kincaid, a young agent of astonishing ability who can anticipate and counter his every move. To survive, Janson must outrace a conspiracy that has gone beyond the control of its originators. To win, he must counter it with a conspiracy of his own…
Johnson will be taking on the lead role in the film. The guy seems to put everything he has into the movies he makes. He's just so damn passionate about the projects he takes on, and I love that about him. Talking about the project and the character he'll be playing, the actor said:
"The Janson Directive is classic Robert Ludlum. Sharp, edgy and layered storylines. The character is complex, conflicted, bad ass and lethal — I can't wait to sink my teeth into this and bring him to life. Between Jamie, Akiva, Captivate and Universal, it's an exciting time to help produce and build out this awesome Ludlum universe."
Vanderbilt is adapting The Janson Directive from a story that was co-authored with Academy Award-winner Akiva Goldsman. Vanderbilt offered up the following statement:
“I’ve been obsessed with Robert Ludlum ever since I was a kid, and the opportunity to play in this sandbox and create an interconnected universe based on the works of one of the best espionage writers of all time is a dream come true."
Vanderbilt will co-write two more treatments for movies based on a couple of other Ludlum novels. We don't know if they'll include any of the three other titles mentioned, though. We also don't know the level of involvement Johnson will have in these other projects. They will help shape the cinematic universe and other writers will be brought in to adapt these film treatments into screenplays.
I love intense, action-packed spy thrillers, and this could end up being an incredibly fun film franchise. Are you excited to hear that we will be getting a Robert Ludlum cinematic universe?
Source: THR