Click here to read the full article.
With Prisoners of the Castle, his new tale of World War II intrigue, English historian, journalist and author Ben Macintyre finds himself back on the New York Times best-seller list. Not since Ian Fleming and John le Carré has a spy writer so captivated readers — as well as film and TV producers, who snap up the rights to Macintyre’s books as fast as he can write them. Next up is the BBC miniseries Sas Rogue Heroes, created by Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight, to be released stateside on Epix. Hot on its heels is A Spy Among Friends, starring Guy Pearce as the notorious British double agent Kim Philly.
The Hollywood Reporter checked in with Macintyre to talk about his latest work of nonfiction — a return to Colditz Castle, the infamous fortress where Nazi-held Allied prisoners plotted a daring escape — and offer a...
With Prisoners of the Castle, his new tale of World War II intrigue, English historian, journalist and author Ben Macintyre finds himself back on the New York Times best-seller list. Not since Ian Fleming and John le Carré has a spy writer so captivated readers — as well as film and TV producers, who snap up the rights to Macintyre’s books as fast as he can write them. Next up is the BBC miniseries Sas Rogue Heroes, created by Peaky Blinders’ Steven Knight, to be released stateside on Epix. Hot on its heels is A Spy Among Friends, starring Guy Pearce as the notorious British double agent Kim Philly.
The Hollywood Reporter checked in with Macintyre to talk about his latest work of nonfiction — a return to Colditz Castle, the infamous fortress where Nazi-held Allied prisoners plotted a daring escape — and offer a...
- 9/28/2022
- by Seth Abramovitch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch and co will make their third foray into cinemas following the success of last year's Muppets movie
Sesame Street is to follow The Muppets on to the big screen, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The long-running Us children's TV series that brought the world Big Bird, Bert and Ernie and Oscar the Grouch will make its third foray into multiplexes following 1985's Follow That Bird and 1999's The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland. Studio 20th Century Fox has bought the rights from the show's production company Sesame Workshop, formerly known as the Children's Television Workshop. The TV iteration's regular writer Joey Mazzarino will take charge of the screenplay but a director is still being sought for the project.
The long-running, partly educational series first screened in 1969 and remains hugely popular with audiences across the globe. It utilises Muppet characters created by Jim Henson, though he did not instigate the show.
Sesame Street is to follow The Muppets on to the big screen, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The long-running Us children's TV series that brought the world Big Bird, Bert and Ernie and Oscar the Grouch will make its third foray into multiplexes following 1985's Follow That Bird and 1999's The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland. Studio 20th Century Fox has bought the rights from the show's production company Sesame Workshop, formerly known as the Children's Television Workshop. The TV iteration's regular writer Joey Mazzarino will take charge of the screenplay but a director is still being sought for the project.
The long-running, partly educational series first screened in 1969 and remains hugely popular with audiences across the globe. It utilises Muppet characters created by Jim Henson, though he did not instigate the show.
- 6/20/2012
- by Ben Child
- The Guardian - Film News
Agent Zigzag lands Muppets helmer James Bobin for Tom Hanks-produced film Variety reports that Bobbin's on board to direct the espionage movie for New Line Cinema and Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman and Merideth Finn's Playtone. Based on the novel by Ben Macintyre and set in World War II, the true story tells of professional criminal Eddie Chapman who gained the trust of German intelligence while reporting back to Britain's MI5. Cue the Dog Productions also produce the film adapted by Mark Bomback, then recently rewritten by Rowan Joffe did the most recent re-write of the script.
- 6/20/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Agent Zigzag lands Muppets helmer James Bobin for Tom Hanks-produced film Variety reports that Bobbin's on board to direct the espionage movie for New Line Cinema and Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman and Merideth Finn's Playtone. Based on the novel by Ben Macintyre and set in World War II, the true story tells of professional criminal Eddie Chapman who gained the trust of German intelligence while reporting back to Britain's MI5. Cue the Dog Productions also produce the film adapted by Mark Bomback, then recently rewritten by Rowan Joffe did the most recent re-write of the script.
- 6/20/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
James Bobin ("The Muppets") will replace the previously attached Mike Newell at the helm of the espionage story "Agent Zigzag" at New Line and Playtone Pictures says Variety.
Based on the Ben Macintyre novel, the true story film deals with Eddie Chapman, professional criminal who won the trust of German intelligence services during WWII even as he reported back to MI5.
Mark Bomback adapted the novel and Rowan Joffe did the most recent re-write. Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman and Merideth Finn will produce through Playtone and Cue the Dog Productions.
Based on the Ben Macintyre novel, the true story film deals with Eddie Chapman, professional criminal who won the trust of German intelligence services during WWII even as he reported back to MI5.
Mark Bomback adapted the novel and Rowan Joffe did the most recent re-write. Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman and Merideth Finn will produce through Playtone and Cue the Dog Productions.
- 6/20/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
James Bobin, helmer of The Muppets, has signed on to direct a film called Agent ZigZag for PlayTone and New Line.
/Film reports that Bobin replaced Mike Newell (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) in the Tom Hanks-produced film, which is currently being rewritten by Rowan Joffe (28 weeks Later).
The book by Ben Macintire (which is based on a true story) became a worldwide bestseller thanks to its exciting spy story mixed with romance and betrayal. The story follows a criminal that becomes a double agent in WWII, working for MI5 and German intelligence.
This is Amazon’s summary of the book:
London Times associate editor Macintyre (The Man Who Would Be King) adroitly dissects the enigmatic World War II British double agent Eddie Chapman in this intriguing and balanced biography. Giving little thought to the morality of his decision, Chapman offered to work as a spy for...
/Film reports that Bobin replaced Mike Newell (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) in the Tom Hanks-produced film, which is currently being rewritten by Rowan Joffe (28 weeks Later).
The book by Ben Macintire (which is based on a true story) became a worldwide bestseller thanks to its exciting spy story mixed with romance and betrayal. The story follows a criminal that becomes a double agent in WWII, working for MI5 and German intelligence.
This is Amazon’s summary of the book:
London Times associate editor Macintyre (The Man Who Would Be King) adroitly dissects the enigmatic World War II British double agent Eddie Chapman in this intriguing and balanced biography. Giving little thought to the morality of his decision, Chapman offered to work as a spy for...
- 6/20/2012
- by Albert Mechsner
- We Got This Covered
For a long while, Mike Newell has been the man developing Agent Zigzag, a fresh take on the real-life adventures of World War II double agent Eddie Chapman. But now it would appear that Newell has been given the Ghost Protocol treatment and that the spy has a new handler: Muppets director James Bobin.Chapman’s story, which was previously brought to the screen in 1966’s Triple Cross, was more recently explored in Ben Macintyre’s 2007 book. It follows the petty crook and all-round smoothie as he charmed his way into working for German Intelligence, only to turn things around and also serve Britain’s secret services.Newell had been working on the script with Rowan Joffe, who came aboard in 2011 to re-write Mark Bomback’s original script. There’s no word on whether Bobin will be bringing in someone new or take his own pass on the screenplay.Frankly,...
- 6/20/2012
- EmpireOnline
According to Variety, The Muppets director James Bobin has signed on to direct a WWII spy film called Agent Zigzag, based on Ben McIntyre’s book of the same name. The true tale centers around Eddie Chapman, a criminal who became a successful double agent by winning the trust of the Germans as he reported their [...]
Read similar posts to James Bobin to direct WWII film Agent Zigzag on Filmonic...
Read similar posts to James Bobin to direct WWII film Agent Zigzag on Filmonic...
- 6/19/2012
- by Ben Pearson
- Filmonic.com
In addition to prepping a sequel to The Muppets, which successfully brought the Jim Henson creations back to the big screen with love, care and hilarity, director James Bobin has just landed another directing gig with Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman producing through their Playtone Pictures production banner. Variety says Bobin will be at the helm of Agent Zigzag, an adaptation of Ben McIntyre's non-fiction book of the same, which tells the true story of Eddie Chapman, a professional criminal who became a highly effective double agent during WWII by winning the trust of German intelligence services like a real bad-ass. As the book is described on Amazon: "Eddie Chapman was a charming criminal, a con man, and a philanderer. He was also one of the most remarkable double agents Britain has ever produced. Inside the traitor was a man of loyalty; inside the villain was a hero. The problem for Chapman,...
- 6/19/2012
- by Ethan Anderton
- firstshowing.net
This story comes with some good news and some bad news. The good news is that James Bobin, the director who saw his notoriety skyrocket after he directed last year's The Muppets, has found a brand new project to helm. The bad news is that it could mean that we will have to wait a while for The Muppets 2. Variety is reporting that the British filmmaker, who made a name for himself working on television programs like Flight of the Conchords and Da Ali G Show, is signed on to direct an adaptation of the novel Agent Zigzag. Based on the book by Ben McIntyre, the story follows a man named Eddie Chapman, a criminal-turned-hero who serves his country by operating as a double agent during World War II, infiltrating the German army and reporting back to MI5. The movie is being made by New Line, a subsidiary of...
- 6/19/2012
- cinemablend.com
Directing a Muppets movie can really raise the old stock, I see. It took only seven months for James Bobin to go from the co-creator of a cult show to a big-time Hollywood comedy director, with a Muppets sequel and, possibly, the Zach Galifianakis-starring Confederacy of Dunces occupying the next few years alone.
Now, Variety says he’ll team with New Line and Tom Hanks‘ Playtone on Agent Zigzag, a biographical, World War II-set spy tale (based on the Ben Macintyre book) that’s been scribed by Rowan Joffe (The American). The original publication, something of a definitive account, told the true story of Eddie Chapman, a British criminal who, though initially acting as a spy for Germany during World War II, was obtained by British services and made into one of their most effective double agents.
Much different — also, I think, far more interesting — than his past or pending work; possibly his next,...
Now, Variety says he’ll team with New Line and Tom Hanks‘ Playtone on Agent Zigzag, a biographical, World War II-set spy tale (based on the Ben Macintyre book) that’s been scribed by Rowan Joffe (The American). The original publication, something of a definitive account, told the true story of Eddie Chapman, a British criminal who, though initially acting as a spy for Germany during World War II, was obtained by British services and made into one of their most effective double agents.
Much different — also, I think, far more interesting — than his past or pending work; possibly his next,...
- 6/19/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
James Bobin has signed on to direct Agent Zigzag for New Line and Playtone. Variety has the word that the The Muppets director will work alongside Tom Hanks and Gary Goetzman to bring Ben McIntyre's novel to the big screen. Released in 2007, the true story is described as follows: Eddie Chapman was a charming criminal, a con man, and a philanderer. He was also one of the most remarkable double agents Britain has ever produced. Inside the traitor was a man of loyalty; inside the villain was a hero. The problem for Chapman, his spymasters, and his lovers was to know where one persona ended and the other began. In 1941, after training as a German spy in occupied France, Chapman was parachuted into Britain with a revolver, a wireless, and a cyanide pill, with orders from the...
- 6/19/2012
- Comingsoon.net
The BBC's latest big-budget Us import is grounded by a cast of clones and script on autopilot
Pan Am (BBC2) | iPlayer
Imagine... Alan Ayckbourne: Greetings from Scarborough (BBC1) | iPlayer
Double Agent: the Eddie Chapman Story (BBC2) | iPlayer
I suspect that last week's Birmingham-bound air passengers, forced into a £20,000 whipround in Vienna to buy the fuel for the trip home, will not have loved the first episode of Pan Am. There's something too cruel – in these days when airports seem weekly to devise new ways to humiliate, to rob, to give you three minutes to find a gate four miles away and, generally, ratchet iron bands of tension ever tighter round your frazzled head – in being reminded of what once was. The style of the early 60s, the gentility, the sanity of pace; even the boarding cards looked of manageable size and made of something scrumptious like tasselled vellum, rather than Kleenex and spit.
Pan Am (BBC2) | iPlayer
Imagine... Alan Ayckbourne: Greetings from Scarborough (BBC1) | iPlayer
Double Agent: the Eddie Chapman Story (BBC2) | iPlayer
I suspect that last week's Birmingham-bound air passengers, forced into a £20,000 whipround in Vienna to buy the fuel for the trip home, will not have loved the first episode of Pan Am. There's something too cruel – in these days when airports seem weekly to devise new ways to humiliate, to rob, to give you three minutes to find a gate four miles away and, generally, ratchet iron bands of tension ever tighter round your frazzled head – in being reminded of what once was. The style of the early 60s, the gentility, the sanity of pace; even the boarding cards looked of manageable size and made of something scrumptious like tasselled vellum, rather than Kleenex and spit.
- 11/20/2011
- by Euan Ferguson
- The Guardian - Film News
"Brighton Rock" writer/director Rowan Joffe has been hired to re-write the script for the film adaptation of Ben Macintyre’s non-fiction book "Agent Zigzag" for Playtone and New Line reports Deadline.
The story chronicles the real-life adventures of Eddie Chapman, a suave small-time crook who ended up becoming a double agent working for both Britain and Germany during the Second World War. Christopher Plummer played Chapman in 1966's "Triple Cross".
Filmmaker Mike Newell has been attached to develop the film for some time and had previously been working with Mark Bomback ("Race to Witch Mountain") on the script. Joffe has previously performed re-writes on the scripts for "The American" and "28 Weeks Later".
The story chronicles the real-life adventures of Eddie Chapman, a suave small-time crook who ended up becoming a double agent working for both Britain and Germany during the Second World War. Christopher Plummer played Chapman in 1966's "Triple Cross".
Filmmaker Mike Newell has been attached to develop the film for some time and had previously been working with Mark Bomback ("Race to Witch Mountain") on the script. Joffe has previously performed re-writes on the scripts for "The American" and "28 Weeks Later".
- 2/17/2011
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Tom Hanks' production company Playtone has acquired the rights to the nonfiction book by Ben MacIntrye called Agent Zero, and they plan on adapting the true story for the big screen. Mike Newell is attached to direct the film, he's best known for developing films such as Prince of Persia and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
The movie is being scripted by Rowan Joffe who recently wrote The American, and 29 Weeks Later. Agent Zigzag tells the true story of Eddie Chapman, a suave thief/seducer who became a double agent during WWII working for both Germany and Britain.
This sounds like it will make for a great movie, here's the official description of the story form the book:
Eddie Chapman was a charming criminal, a con man, and a philanderer. He was also one of the most remarkable double agents Britain has ever produced. Inside the traitor...
The movie is being scripted by Rowan Joffe who recently wrote The American, and 29 Weeks Later. Agent Zigzag tells the true story of Eddie Chapman, a suave thief/seducer who became a double agent during WWII working for both Germany and Britain.
This sounds like it will make for a great movie, here's the official description of the story form the book:
Eddie Chapman was a charming criminal, a con man, and a philanderer. He was also one of the most remarkable double agents Britain has ever produced. Inside the traitor...
- 2/17/2011
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
Finally some update on Mike Newell‘s upcoming Agent Zizag adaptation!
And this time, we’re here to report that Rowan Joffe, best known for his work on Brighton Rock project, will pen the adaptation of this non-fiction novel based on the book by Ben MacIntrye. This is quite interesting story indeed, so make sure you check out the rest of this report for more details.
Agent Zigzag tells the true story of Eddie Chapman, a pre-war criminal and wartime spy, who, during the Second World War offered his services to Nazi Germany as a spy and a traitor whilst intending all along to become a British double agent. As we said, this project is based on Ben MacIntyre’s book, and here’s a full synopsis of it:
“London Times associate editor Macintyre adroitly dissects the enigmatic World War II British double agent Eddie Chapman in this intriguing and balanced biography.
And this time, we’re here to report that Rowan Joffe, best known for his work on Brighton Rock project, will pen the adaptation of this non-fiction novel based on the book by Ben MacIntrye. This is quite interesting story indeed, so make sure you check out the rest of this report for more details.
Agent Zigzag tells the true story of Eddie Chapman, a pre-war criminal and wartime spy, who, during the Second World War offered his services to Nazi Germany as a spy and a traitor whilst intending all along to become a British double agent. As we said, this project is based on Ben MacIntyre’s book, and here’s a full synopsis of it:
“London Times associate editor Macintyre adroitly dissects the enigmatic World War II British double agent Eddie Chapman in this intriguing and balanced biography.
- 2/17/2011
- by Fiona
- Filmofilia
Rowan Joffe, screenwriter of the underrated The American and of 28 Weeks Later, is now working with director Mike Newell on an adaption of the WWII double-agent story Agent Zigzag, based on the book of the same name by Ben MacIntyre. The subject of the book and the film is Eddie Chapman, dashing and charming criminal, conman and spy. He's the classic image of the fast-living spy. Recruited by the German Secret Service at the outset of WWII, he was a major asset for the Nazis, but was also secretly working for Britain, as Agent Zigzag. His story sounds like perfect movie material. A bit of info on the book is after the break. Amazon [1] offers: London Times associate editor Macintyre (The Man Who Would Be King) adroitly dissects the enigmatic World War II British double agent Eddie Chapman in this intriguing and balanced biography. Giving little thought to the morality of his decision,...
- 2/17/2011
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
While Mile Newell is busily talking about directing Great Expectations, it would appear that that’s not the only project he’s considering. He’s been attached to and developing an adaptation of Ben Macintyre’s non-fiction tome Agent Zigzag for some time. Now comes word from Deadline that Brighton Rock writer/director Rowan Joffe is on board to take a fresh pass at the script, on which Newell had been collaborating with Race to Witch Mountain’s Mark Bomback.Macintyre’s 2007 book chronicled the real-life adventures of Eddie Chapman, a chancer, petty criminal and smooth charmer who became a double agent working for both Britain and Germany during World War Two. One of his MI5 handlers at the time wrote, “The Germans came to love Chapman. But although he went cynically through all the forms, he did not reciprocate. Chapman loved himself, loved adventure, and loved his country, probably in that order.
- 2/17/2011
- EmpireOnline
Rowan Joffe’s adaptation of Graham Greene’s Brighton Rock is currently playing in cinemas across the country and there is news tonight of his next feature film project.
Back in 2007 it was announced that Tom Hanks’ production company Playtone had begun developing the story of Eddie Chapman, better known to the world as Agent Zigzag, a double agent trained by the Nazis who began to work against Germany in 1942. There is plenty of espionage, betrayal, adventure and seduction in his story, thus it was almost certain that the book by Ben MacIntyre entitled Agent Zigzag: Lover, Traitor, Hero, Spy would be picked up. Joffe has been unveiled by Deadline as the man to bring Chapman’s story to the screen.
Mike Newell, recently announced as developing an adaptation of Great Expectations, is set to direct the film and this is not a million miles away from another project...
Back in 2007 it was announced that Tom Hanks’ production company Playtone had begun developing the story of Eddie Chapman, better known to the world as Agent Zigzag, a double agent trained by the Nazis who began to work against Germany in 1942. There is plenty of espionage, betrayal, adventure and seduction in his story, thus it was almost certain that the book by Ben MacIntyre entitled Agent Zigzag: Lover, Traitor, Hero, Spy would be picked up. Joffe has been unveiled by Deadline as the man to bring Chapman’s story to the screen.
Mike Newell, recently announced as developing an adaptation of Great Expectations, is set to direct the film and this is not a million miles away from another project...
- 2/16/2011
- by Jon Lyus
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Exclusive: Tom Hanks’ Playtone is developing the project based on the bestselling nonfiction book Agent Zigzag, published in the U.S. by Crown. Director Mike Newell (Prince of Persia and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) was originally working on the script with Mark Bomback (Race to Witch Mountain) on the project, which is set up at New Line. Now Brighton Rock director Rowan Joffe is scripting it for Newell. Written by Brit journalist Ben MacIntrye, Agent Zigzag tells the true story of Eddie Chapman, a suave thief/seducer who became a double agent during WWII working for both Germany and Britain. Joffe recently wrote The American, starring George Clooney, for Focus and before that 28 Weeks Later for Fox Searchlight. Newell is also in talks to direct Great Expectations for producer Steve Woolley (Made In Dagenham). Curtis Brown/CAA reps Joffe, while Independent Talent/Wme handles Newell.
- 2/16/2011
- by TIM ADLER in London
- Deadline London
Every few days, the Hollywood Cog sends me manila envelopes stuffed with cryptic typewritten messages with Los Angeles postmarks and no return address. Lately, the envelopes have had a jasmine and lavender scent, so who knows where this is leading. Who I think now is probably a she (although, given my perception on the site, who knows?) provides quite a bit of information that I never use, that I file away. By the time it gets to me on the East Coast, a lot of the information has already been reported by Deadline or The L.A. Times or The Wrap, although, more times than not, it's Nikki Finke over at Deadline, who has lately become the obnoxious Internet troll screaming First! while skipping around her office in her skivvies eating Snickers.
What I've realized over the last year, working with the Cog and her lavender scented envelopes, however, is that...
What I've realized over the last year, working with the Cog and her lavender scented envelopes, however, is that...
- 11/2/2010
- by Dustin Rowles
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.