John Singleton has signed on to adapt and direct the Tom Clancy espionage thriller "Without Remorse" for Paramount Pictures. The film, which Paramount envisions as part of a possible franchise, marks the Hollywood return of Michael Ovitz, who will serve as producer.

"Without Remorse" centers on former Navy SEAL and CIA operative John Kelly, code-named Mr. Clark, who first appeared in "Clear and Present Danger" (played by Willem Dafoe). The novel, which was published in 1993 by Putnam, spawned a previous film version, which was in development at Savoy Pictures and was shut down during preproduction in 1995.

Singleton said he aims to make the film in line with the Phillip Noyce-helmed Clancy thrillers he is a fan of, "Clear and Present Danger" and "Patriot Games."

The latest version will reunite Ovitz, long absent from the film business, with his one-time client Singleton.

"I've known Mike my whole career in the business," Singleton said. "I was signed by CAA when I was in film school. Mike took an early hand in my career, so it's really good to be working with him. We get along really well."

Ovitz, who also was Clancy's longtime rep, owned the rights to the property.

Singleton said he is looking to cast a young and athletic actor who can grow with the picture.

"Clancy is one of the best-selling authors of all time, but a lot of people don't understand that there's also a whole population of people who know Clancy from the video game world (through his 'Splinter Cell' games)," said Singleton, who sees the film appealing to both demographics.

Paramount's Brad Weston will oversee for the studio.

Singleton, whose credits include "2 Fast 2 Furious" and "Boyz N the Hood," helmed last year's sleeper hit for Paramount, "Four Brothers." He also is attached to direct "Convoy" for the studio, which he would start after "Without Remorse."

He is repped by UTA and attorney Stephen Barnes.