The spy thriller, The Right Hand, from author Derek Haas is headed to the big screen. Universal Pictures and producer Scott Stuber are behind the fresh movie deal. Haas along with screenwriting partner Michael Brandt, are planning to work on adapting a screenplay. It seems a very well-made book trailer spawned mega interest in the thriller, but this team won out.
The project definitely as a capable screenwriting team. Their works include Wanted, 2 Fast 2 Furious and 3:10 To Yuma. Brandt and Haas are also behind the new NBC series, Chicago Fire.
The Right Hand is the fourth novel from Derek Haas. The novel hit bookshelves on November 13th, from Mulholland Books. The story follows Austin Clay, a spy so covert that he’s basically a ghost. when he’s sent in to investigate a missing American operative, being held by Russians, he uncovers more than he bargained for. There’s a conspiracy at work, involving a mole hiding in the top-most echelons of the U.S. government. Fans of Angelina Jolie’s Salt, and hit series Homeland, should enjoy this picture when it all comes together. It also has the feel of Tom Clancy’s work.
Damian Saccani will serve as executive producer on the project.
In a statement Haas explained, “I’m thrilled The Right Hand is in the hands of Scott Stuber and Universal, with whom Michael and I have had incredible movie experiences. We love that after readers get a chance to discover this spy thriller in November, we’ll get to bring it to the screen ourselves.”
Readers seem to agree that Haas’s work is non-stop action and very stylish to boot. Could this be the new Bourne Identity? This year’s Bourne Legacy was a little lackluster in my opinion. That wasn’t the fault of the actors, who did great jobs with what they were given. Adding Jeremy Renner to the series, did some to keep the beat breathing. The script just felt to me like a somewhat clumsy attempt at CPR. Still, there’s potential there, provided a another sequel pulls out all the stops.
He isn’t a spy, per say, but if this genre thrills you, do not forget to check out Alex Cross this weekend. In this one Tyler Perry faces off against a serial killer in a role Morgan Freeman has brought to life twice before. Matthew Fox and Jean Reno also star.
Of course Mission Impossible 4 also fits into the spy genre. I thought that was a decent return for that franchise, but some of the action was a little far-fetched.