Fletch Lives But Spidey Is Livin' Large

I'm about to make 2 bold statements:

The TV series Scrubs is one of the best shows on the schedule....

And the 1985 film, Fletch, is an underrated highlight in the career of Chevy Chase.

Given those declarative sentences, you can imagine my delight over Michael Flemming's article in today's Variety:

The Weinstein Co. has set "Scrubs" creator-exec producer Bill Lawrence to make his feature directing debut on "Fletch Won," an adaptation of the Gregory Mcdonald novel series.

Lawrence will write the script for a film being set up as a prequel to the 1985 pic "Fletch," which starred Chevy Chase. Though no casting decisions have been made, plan is for Lawrence to direct the pic in April, when his NBC series goes on hiatus. David List produces.

Lawrence, a writer on "Friends" and co-creator of "Spin City," is a big fan of the adventures of Irwin Fletcher and sparked to the chance to work on an origin story. Story follows the early days of the character's career as a junior reporter at the News-Tribune.

What a good fit. Lawrence is definitely the right man for the job. I wonder if this means that Scrubs leading man, Zach Braff, will be playing the younger Fletch?...

To that, Gregg Goldstein of The Hollywood Reporter had this:

"Zach is perfect for the role," Lawrence said in an interview from his Los Angeles office, where Braff sat laughing in the background. "I'm going to use all my pull trying to make him do it."... No cast members have been signed yet.

I hope Braff signs on. He and Lawrence make quite the dynamic Duo... And hey, Chase should be available for some sort of cameo, after all, his career is in the toilet. I'm sure he could use the work.

Meanwhile, Ben Fritz, also of Variety, offers up some BIG (but not unexpected) news about next year's Spider-Man 3...

"Spider-Man 3" will be swinging into Imax theaters next May, marking Sony Pictures' first day-and-date release of a live-action film in the large-screen format.

Deal gives Imax what's expected to be one of the biggest tentpoles of the 2007 summer season.

Most of Imax's previous live-action day-and-date releases have come from Warner Bros., including this summer's "Superman Returns" and "Poseidon."

"Spider-Man 2" was released in an Imax version after its regular theatrical run.

First Sony pic to get the day-and-date Imax treatment will be toon "Open Season," which will be in Imax 3-D in September.

IMAX and Superheroes have a great symbiotic relationship, and this deal will only make Spidey ticket sales soar even higher...