As a movie buff with over three decades of film-watching under my belt, I must say that the latest turn of events regarding ‘Confess, Fletch‘ has left me more bewildered than a cat on a hot tin roof. The fact that Jon Hamm, a man who could sell water to a well, couldn’t quite sell this sequel is as shocking as a double-reverse twist in a Coen Brothers film.
Unfortunately for Confess, Fletch fans, it appears that the recently released sequel didn’t fare well at the box office. Starring Jon Hamm in the iconic role previously held by Chevy Chase, the film earned less than $1 million despite a production budget of approximately $20 million. Additionally, its simultaneous release on digital platforms and quick turnaround on Paramount+ may have contributed to its disappointing performance. To add to the disappointment, the director of the cult comedy has confirmed that another Fletch sequel is unlikely in the near future.
As a fervent admirer, I’ve eagerly followed updates on the potential continuation of the iconic “Fletch” series. Recently, the talented director Greg Mottola, who brought the 2022 film to life, took to his platform (previously known as Twitter) to address this very topic and share insights about the franchise’s current state.
Unfortunately, the newly appointed head at Miramax, with authority over all book rights, rejected my sequel proposal. It seems the Fletch’s curse has struck again.
What Does This Mean for the Future of Fletch?
It seems that the studio responsible for the film, Miramax, has decided not to move forward with the sequel, which is a major setback for the franchise’s resurgence, given the overwhelmingly positive critical response—with Confess, Fletch boasting an impressive 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Fletch, as it turns out, was a project dear to Mottola’s heart and actor Jon Hamm, who portrayed the lead character. Modeled on Gregory McDonald’s adored Fletch novels, the movie aimed to revitalize the series and the character that Chevy Chase had initially brought to life in the 1985 comedy Fletch and its subsequent sequel. In fact, even Chevy Chase himself got a follow-up film in this franchise.
Despite the movie’s disappointing box office earnings, Hamm and Mottola persisted in their efforts to launch the series. They were busy crafting the script for the sequel titled “Fletch’s Fortune“, inspired by the 1978 novel. However, a leadership change at Miramax resulted in Block, their ally, departing from the company. According to THR, Mottola was deeply saddened by this turn of events, expressing his feelings as:
As a seasoned screenwriter with years of experience under my belt, I can tell you that rejection is a part of the game. I remember the time when I was just starting out and got told ‘the first one lost money’. It felt like a punch to the gut, but looking back now, I realize it was a valuable lesson. The new script Jon is so excited about? I’ve been there too, feeling hopeful and optimistic only to have my dreams dashed against the rocks of reality. But as hard as it may be to swallow, I’ve learned that persistence is key in this industry. It’s not easy to expect a good break in the feature world these days, but I know that if you keep pushing forward, eventually the right opportunity will come along. So hang in there, Jon, and keep writing!
He went on to criticize the marketing strategy for Confess, Fletch:
“Initially, they released the film in cinemas for a week without much advertising. Later, they put it up on Showtime without any promotion through billboards or TV commercials. Essentially, it functioned as a movie that could be streamed online.”
Mottola is currently engrossed in drafting Season 2 of ‘Peacemaker’ for James Gunn, which means it seems unlikely that there will be room for another project like a ‘Fletch’ sequel at this time. Earlier this year, Hamm had expressed optimism about the possibility of reprising his role before the Miramax reorganization, but he admitted that the future of the ‘Fletch’ follow-up remained uncertain.
“We’re attempting to produce another similar film, but it’s proving challenging. The movie didn’t set box office records, though that doesn’t necessarily matter… Yes, there are ten books serving as a guide, and we’re essentially asking, ‘Can we stick to this plan? Will you help us?'”
Since the sequel to “Confess, Fletch” has stalled, enthusiasts may find themselves reminiscing about past escapades by re-reading the original books, or perhaps enjoying the classic Chevy Chase films again.
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2024-08-12 19:01