This is the only time a novel and its sequel won back-to-back Edgars. Two of the Fletch books earned Edgar Awards from the Mystery Writers of America: Fletch was named Best First Novel in 1975, and Confess, Fletch won for Best Paperback Original in 1977. So with Ben's encouragement, I say 'Okay.Gregory Mcdonald (Febru– September 7, 2008) was an American writer best known for his mystery adventures featuring investigative reporter Irwin Maurice 'Fletch' Fletcher. I read the script and it was fun, but making it with my friend would make it even more so, I figured. Exciting: I'd never directed someone else's feature script before. Ben asked if I wanna direct this movie in which he's gonna be the lead. ' t all came to a head in 2003, while I was in post-production on 'Jersey Girl,' when Ben Affleck had been offered the lead in 'a movie' at Disney (This is in the days before Ben had ever realized his true, Oscar-caliber calling, mind you). Affleck tried to get the director on board. Smith said that Weinstein wanted Affleck in the lead role as he was the more 'bankable' star at the time.Ĭoncurrently, Affleck was eventually offered a Special Project outside of Smith's efforts.

Weinstein once claimed that 'Fletch' was to be Miramax's first film franchise (Smith's own View Askewniverse notwithstanding), but bristled at the idea of Jason Lee leading the film. Smith explained that he was to make 'Fletch Won' for Miramax, headed by Harvey Weinstein at the time. Smith, however, went into much more detail in a 2013 Facebook post, handily archived in an article on Film Buff Online. The idea was that Jason Lee (from Smith's 'Mallrats,' 'Chasing Amy,' and 'Dogma') was to play Fletch. The closest a 'Fletch' reboot ever came to actual production, however, was likely Kevin Smith's attempts to make 'Fletch Won' (based on the 1985 McDonald book) in the late 1990s. According to a 2010 article in EW, there were false starts on 'Fletch' reboots starring Ryan Reynolds, Ben Affleck, Joshua Jackson. Over the years, multiple attempts have been made to get 'Fletch' started up again. A sequel called 'Fletch Lives' was made in 1989. The film was a notable success at the box office, and developed a small cult following.

The film was less a rundown detective story than a light comedy, and a lot of 'Fletch' focuses on Chase's disguises and the comedian's ability to improvise. The story - the investigation of a millionaire asking to be euthanized - was kept intact. 'Fletch' was very loosely adapted to film in 1985 with Chevy Chase in the title role and with Michael Ritchie ('The Bad News Bears,' 'Semi-Tough') directing.

Fletch novels