The Osterman Weekend Gets A Writer

Earlier this week there was news that Summit's adaption of the Robert Ludlum novel "The Osterman Weekend" was possibly going to be Robert Schwentke's (Flightplan, Red) next directing vehicle, now news comes from the trades that Summit have hired Jesse Wigutow (It Runs in the Family) to draft the screenplay.

Now some might see this as a remake because the book was adapted by Sam Peckinpah (The Wild Bunch) as his last film in 1983, however that one was a mess, destroyed in the editing room by the producers (Who'd used a script whose writer admits was poor) after Peckinpah refused to edit his cut that took satirical shots at the novel because he didn't like it. All in all the premise is excellent and ripe material for a big screen adaption, hopefully this time things go smoother.

Here is a synopsis from Amazon.

In a secret room in Washington DC John Tanner is asked to stake his life - and those of his wife and children - on a gamble whose goals and risks no one will fully reveal to him. In a small suburban town, where only the nicest people live, friends, neighbours, everyone and anyone could be part of a monstrous conspiracy of international evil. The machinery has already been set in motion. And at stake is the very existence of America - and the future of the entire free world...

The trailer for the Peckinpah version:

The Osterman Weekend | John Hurt | Rutger Hauer | Movie Trailer