'Showgirls' Helmer Tackles 'Thomas Crown'

Zap2It.com | November 13, 2007

Pierce Brosnan, 'The Thomas Crown Affair'

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Paul Verhoven will put Pierce Brosnan through his paces

The tentative titled "The Thomas Crown Affair 2" is moving forward with "Showgirls" director Paul Verhoven at the helm.

According to media reports, the long gestating project is based on both Eric Ambler's novel "The Light of Day" and the 1964 heist classic "Topkapi."

Pierce Brosnan has been attached to the sequel (at one point titled "The Topkapi Affair") to reprise his role as idly wealthy eponymous master thief. The sequel moves the action to Europe and the Middle East and introduces a new love interest for Crown, meaning that Rene Russo won't be co-starring.

Production could begin as soon as January, with Brosnan also serving as producer.

In addition to "Showgirls," Verhoven's English-language credits include "Basic Instinct," "RoboCop" and "Starship Troopers." Verhoven returned to his native Netherlands for his most recent film, 2006's "Black Book."