Hollywood star Michael B Jordan has officially opened up about his highly anticipated reimagining of the classic heist film The Thomas Crown Affair, confirming key details about the project that will see him both star and direct.
From Fan to Filmmaker: Jordan's Personal Connection
The actor-director revealed his long-standing connection to the franchise, tracing back to his teenage years. Jordan specifically cited the 1999 Pierce Brosnan version as his introduction to the story. "The Brosnan version was the one I grew up watching, and I was like, 'Oh man, this is great, I love this,'" Jordan shared with People magazine. "I was like 13, 14. Obviously, the whole love thing kind of went over my head a bit, but as far as the art, the slickness, the wish fulfillment...I didn't go to a lot of museums growing up as a kid. But when I watched that movie, I kind of saw a side of New York that I guess I didn't see before."
Jordan's artistic background also played a significant role in his attraction to the material. "My mom's an artist, so I grew up around paints and canvases and upholstery and leather dyeing...So I had a love and appreciation of an artist's journey before I even became an artist myself," he explained.
A Fresh Take on a Classic Story
Jordan emphasized that his version won't be a simple remake or reboot. The film is scheduled for release on March 5, 2027 and represents what he calls a "reimagination" of the original concept. "For me, the biggest thing was I didn't want it to be a reboot or a remake," Jordan stated. "I really want to reimagine it. So it was a reimagination of what it is...What I liked about it was it didn't have too much baggage. It was just enough time and a gap between generations."
The project marks Jordan's second directorial effort following his successful debut with Creed III in 2023. He personally pitched the new vision for The Thomas Crown Affair to Amazon MGM Studios and filmed the project in London.
New Cast, Higher Stakes
Jordan's reimagining features an impressive ensemble cast including Ruth Negga, Aubrey Plaza, Kenneth Branagh, and Lily Gladstone. The actor-director hinted at significant changes from previous iterations, particularly in the protagonist's motivation. "The first two films were these two rich White dudes that were stealing because they were pretty much bored...this one's a bit more personal, and the stakes are a lot higher," Jordan revealed.
The original 1968 film starred Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway, while the 1999 remake featured Pierce Brosnan and Rene Russo. Jordan's version promises to bring a fresh perspective to the story of billionaire Thomas Crown, who commits elaborate crimes for entertainment and becomes entangled with an insurance investigator.
