Paul Verhoeven is coming back to Hollywood.
The Dutch helmer is set to direct the sequel to 1999’s “The Thomas Crown Affair” for MGM. It will be his first American film since 2000’s “Hollow Man.”
Now titled “The Thomas Crown Affair 2,” the film is based on the 1964 MGM film “Topkapi” and the novel “The Light of Day” by Eric Ambler. The project has been in development since 2002.
Set in Europe and the Middle East, the story revolves around the adventures of Crown as he becomes entangled in a centuries-old feud and must decide how much he’s willing to risk for love.
Pierce Brosnan, who is producing the film through his Irish DreamTime shingle, is set to reprise his role as the self-made billionaire.
Verhoeven quickly made Hollywood’s A-list of directors with 1990’s “Total Recall” and 1992’s “Basic Instinct,” but after movies like 1995’s poorly received “Showgirls,” his status fell. After returning to the Netherlands, his career was revived after he received critical acclaim for last year’s “Black Book.”
Verhoeven is repped by UTA, manager Marion Rosenberg and attorney Tom Hansen.
