Brian Kirk Could Direct Robert Ludlum's Osterman Weekend

Deadline reports that Irish director Brian Kirk is in talks to helm The Osterman Weekend based on the novel by Robert Ludlum. The author is best know for the Bourne series of novels. The film is setup at Lionsgate/Summit and is expected to be a new spy franchise in the making similar to Bourne. Kirk was in talks to direct the Thor sequel and has directed many television shows including Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire, Luck, The Tudors, Dexter and Luther.

I have to say the one person I see in the lead of this budding franchise is none other than Idris Elba. Kirk has previously worked with Elba on the serial killer BBC series Luther. Idris has been slowly priming himself to be the next Denzel Washington playing every role thrown at him from genre to drama.

CAST EM': The Secret Service

One of the more intriguing comic book films on it's way is Mark Millar's The Secret Service. The premise of the film is what happens when a young wayward hoodie from North London is trained to become a government spy (not unlike James Bond). Mixing elements from Bond, UNCLE and SHIELD along with the sensibilities of Millar and graphic eye of legendary artist Dave Gibbons (Watchmen). The first issue of the comic is released this month but the names of the characters/villain haven't been revealed. Once the issues start rolling out I'll update this page accordingly.

From what I know there seems to be an older spy character that is either the partner or mentor of the young hoodie. That role seems perfect for Richard Armitage since he's already starred in spy projects like Spooks, Strike Back and Captain America: The First Avenger. Richard also has that strong leadership quality that will be seen in the Hobbit films as Thorin Oakenshield. Not to mention he has a Bond ora to him and physical presence most actors are lacking. There has been talk of a realistic edge to the film and with his background in fighting and weapons it's going to be a major asset.

A notorious theme with Millar and Vaughn is that they love to use up and coming actors for lead roles. We've seen this with Daniel Craig/Tom Hardy in Layer Cake, Charlie Cox in Stardust, James McAvoy in Wanted, Aaron Johnson in Kick-Ass and Nicholas Hoult in X-Men First Class. A new actor that I just noticed is Tom Payne and he would be perfect for the hoodie turned spy. Payne has a major role in HBO's Luck as the cocky jockey. I wouldn't count out Charlie Cox who is the same age as Payne and previously worked with Vaughn on Stardust. Charlie has a rather physical role on HBO's Boardwalk Empire as a bodyguard/hitman and a former soldier in the Irish Republican Army. He's another actor I picture for the role.

When it comes to the film's villain I'm sort of in the dark because I don't know anything about the character. I'll just have to throw out names like Sean Bean (Patriot Games, Ronin, Goldeneye)  and Peter Mullan ( Red Riding Trilogy, Children of Men, Welcome To The Punch, War Horse, Tyrannosaur) until we know more about the series.