Johnny Depp's 'Thin Man' Remake Nabs Writer Jerry Stahl (Exclusive)

Ernesto Ruscio/FilmMagic

Author and screenwriter Jerry Stahl has been tapped to pen the script for The Thin Man, Warner Bros.’ remake of the classic private eye movie which has Johnny Depp attached to star and Rob Marshall in negotiations to direct.

The original movie was based on a Dashiell Hammett novel, which centered on former private detective-turned-professional drunkard Nick Charles, his lovely socialite wife Nora and their schnauzer Asta.

The book saw the Charles couple investigate a murder involving an eccentric inventor and his bizarre family.

The studio put the remake into development in October, taking its time to find a writer who would give it a contemporary attitude but retain the period setting.

Depp will produce with his Infinitum Nihil partner Christi Dembrowski.

Jerry Stahl

Former Warners exec Kevin McCormick, who worked with Depp on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Sweeney Todd, is producing via his studio-based Langley Park.

Stahl may be best known for Permanent Midnight, his memoir about his heroin days which later was adapted into a movie with Ben Stiller as Stahl. The writer also had a thriving career writing TV shows, with credits including Moonlighting, ALF and Twin Peaks under his belt.

After some time away from Hollywood, it appears Stahl is in the midst of a return. The Thin Man gig marks the second hot project he’s involved with, the first being Hemingway & Gellhorn. That HBO movie, which sees Nicole Kidman and Clive Owen toplining, just began shooting.

Stahl is repped by WME.