Variety reports that British spy writer and politician Jeffrey Archer has signed a "slate deal" with production company New Franchise encompassing ten of the author's novels. According to the trade, Jeffrey Steiner's New Franchise "was formed expressly to secure and develop the rights to Archer's works." That model sounds quite a bit like Captivate Entertainment, which was formed expressly to develop Robert Ludlum's library for film and television, but has since expanded into original content as well. The major difference, of course, is that Archer is still alive to reap the benefits of whatever film deals New Franchise manages to set up. Variety reports that titles covered in the deal "include action crime-caper False Impression and a spy-thriller trilogy based on A Matter of Honor, Honor Among Thieves and The Eleventh Commandment." I don't think I've ever read anything by Archer, but I'm intrigued. New spy movies are always welcome, and A Matter of Honor sounds pretty cool...
Given the 007 movie franchaise is at a crossroads (and the delay in James Bond 23 - occasioned by MGM 50%rights being in limbo due to $4 billion debts - is a blessing in disguise). The new rights owners of MGM 50% will be more hands on than EON are used to. They should get Vic Armstrong to direct it, Birmingham band Editors to do the 007 theme tune, Aruna Shields to be the 007 James Bond girl, and the would be wise to base it on Jeffrey Archer's 'Matter of Honour' core premise to go after the $500 million US box office they could hit and Archer may hit with his film deal. It is 007 meets 'National Treasure'.
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