‘Batman’ Director May Take a ‘Prisoner’
Christopher Nolan is the latest helmer to circle the long-gestating big-screen adaptation of “The Prisoner.”
According to Variety, Universal Pictures is close to a deal to attach the “Memento” director to the classic ITV property, which will be written by Janet and David Peoples (“12 Monkeys”).
Masterminded by writer-producer-star Patrick McGoohan, “The Prisoner” premiered in 1967 and ran for only 17 episodes. A political parable, it turn the story of a government agent who residents and immediately finds himself drugged, kidnapped, and plunked down on an isolated island known only as The Village. Despite his protestations that he’s not a number, he’s becomes Number Six. Amidst escape attempts, he’s interrogated by the person he believes to be in charge, the mysterious Number Two, who was played by an assortment of different actors.
There have been regular attempts to mount a big screen “Prisoner,” with “Tomb Raider” director Simon West linked to the most recent incarnation. In addition, there have been reports that erstwhile Dr. Who Christopher Eccleston would play Number Six in a “Prisoner” mini-series for England’s Sky One.
The industry trade paper suggests that Universal is hoping Nolan can shoot a contemporized version of “The Prisoner” after he directs his “Batman Begins” sequel “The Dark Knight” for Warner Bros. early next year.
Nolan’s latest film, “The Prestige,” will open this October.
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