Zach Braff Talks ‘Fletch’
‘Scrubs’ star can’t say he’s doing ‘Fletch Won,’ but it sure sounds like he will
When it comes to The Weinstein Company’s upcoming “Fletch Won,” Zach Braff is absolutely going to star in it, unless he isn’t.
“I don’t know,” Braff says, pausing from promoting his upcoming film “The Last Kiss.” “Bill Lawrence is definitely writing and directing ‘Fletch,’ and there’s a good chance I’ll do it. I’ve just got to talk to Uncle Harvey.”
He’s referring, of course, to Harvey Weinstein and the “Scrubs” star probably doesn’t want to give up any leverage before signing on, except that Weinstein already knows that Braff is invested in the property.
“I was the one who told Harvey he should hire Bill,” Braff says of the “Scrubs” creator. “Bill’s a huge Fletch fan. The books aren’t as wacky and silly as the Chevy Chase movie was, so there was talk for a while of going back to the books and not having that level of comedy in them, and Bill and I both disagreed. That’s what made the movie so great. It’s one of the most quoted movies ever, especially by guys. Why would you not tap back into what’s funny about that? Definitely go back to the books, because the books are brilliant, but we want to still make it a comedy.”
The “Garden State” writer-director-star’s name first entered the discussion when the long-gestating Kevin Smith/Jason Lee incarnation of the property began to fall apart amidst rumors that Weinstein wasn’t ready to let the “My Name Is Earl” thespian play intrepid reporter Irwin Fletcher. The official announcement of Lawrence’s involvement only seemed to make Braff’s involvement more of a fait accompli.
Braff, who has already completed work on “Fast Track” for The Weinstein Co., continues, “Bill uses the great analogy of ‘Beverly Hills Cop.’ He’s like, ‘If you look at ‘Beverly Hills Cop,’ some people think it’s one of the funniest comedies ever, but it’s an action movie with great adventure and real stakes,’ and he wants to do that with ‘Fletch.’ The books have real stakes and real action in them, but they also have some of the funniest, witty dialogue ever written.”
The plan is to have “Fletch Won” go into production next spring after the conclusion of the “Scrubs” shooting schedule, which would be convenient for both Lawrence and Braff.
“The Last Kiss” opens in theaters everywhere on Friday, Sept. 15.
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