The Champions: Ben Stiller to Direct and Co-Star With Cate Blanchett in Movie Adaptation of 1960s Espionage TV Series

Hollywood stars Ben Stiller and Cate Blanchett are joining hands to turn the 1960s espionage television series 'The Champions' into a movie. In addition to acting, Stiller is directing the upcoming film adaptation. Blanchett is producing through her company Dirty Films, and Stiller is producing through his label Red Hour Productions. 'The Champions' movie, paying homage to the TV show from Dennis Spooner, follows three UN agents whose plane crashes in the Himalayas. Upon being rescued by an advanced civilisation secretly living in Tibet, they are granted enhanced intellectual and physical abilities. The Seven Five: Ben Stiller in Talks to Direct MGM’s Crime-Drama Based on the 2014 Documentary of the Same Name.

When the agents return to the outside world, they use their new superhuman abilities to become champions of law, order and justice, reports variety.com. "'The Champions' is a long-forgotten gem that will excite a new generation in the same strange and magnificent way that the original series spoke to us. I've long wanted to work with Ben -- the director and the actor. "He is one of the most engaged and versatile directors working today. Anyone who can make both 'Zoolander' and 'Escape at Dannemora' is a creative force to be reckoned with," said Blanchett. Bag Man: Ben Stiller to Direct Film Adaptation of Rachel Maddow’s 2018 Podcast on America’s Political Bribery Scandals.

Stiller added: "I'm a huge fan of Cate for a very long time. I'm hoping this project will help people to finally take her seriously as an actress." The small-screen version of 'The Champions' ran in the UK. The series, which consisted of 30 episodes, aired in the US on NBC starting in the summer of 1968. Stuart Damon, Alexandra Bastedo, William Gaunt and Anthony Nicholls starred in the show. "There's no doubt that we have a superhuman team on board to bring this riveting series to life for a new audience," said Philippe Maigret, President of ITV Studios America.

'The Champions' marks the latest collaboration between New Republic and Dirty Films through its first-look deal. They previously announced 'Queen Bitch and the High Horse', written by Eric Matthew Brown and directed by Bert and Bertie. "New Republic Pictures is thrilled to be teaming up with Ben Stiller and Cate Blanchett, an irresistible cinematic spy duo if ever there were one, along with our friends at ITV and Dirty Films, as we reimagine ITV's fun and iconic 1960's espionage franchise, 'The Champions'. Literally can't wait," said New Republic president Bradley Fischer, who is serving as a producer with Brian Oliver.

Andrew Upton and Coco Francini of Dirty Films will also produce. Blanchett is currently in production on Todd Field's drama 'Tar' and recently wrapped filming on Eli Roth's video game adaptation 'Borderlands'. She will be seen next in Guillermo del Toro's thriller 'Nightmare Alley' and Adam McKay's environmental satire 'Don't Look Up'. Stiller is working on the thriller 'Severance', a drama series he's directing and co-starring with Adam Scott and Patricia Arquette. He's also set to direct 'Bag Man', based on Rachel Maddow's podcast, 'London' starring Oscar Isaac, and 'High Desert' featuring Arquette.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 12, 2021 09:22 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).