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Michael B. Jordan is revealing details about his upcoming version of The Thomas Crown Affair
The actor and director will release his reimagining of the heist film, in which he's also set to star, in spring 2027
"This one's a bit more personal and the stakes are a lot higher," Jordan said on the Nov. 28 episode of Variety's Awards Circuit podcast
Michael B. Jordanis teasing one of his upcoming projects.On the Nov. 28 episode ofVariety'sAwards Circuitpodcast, the actor and director, 38, opened up about hisupcoming remake ofThe Thomas Crown Affair, in which he's set to star and direct. The heist film follows a billionaire named Thomas Crown, who commits crimes for entertainment — and who eventually finds himself entwined with an insurance investigator.The 1968 original film starredSteve McQueenandFaye Dunaway,while its 1999 remake starredPierce BrosnanandRene Russo. It was the latter that first left a lasting impression on Jordan."The Brosnan version was the one I grew up watching, and I was like, 'Oh man, this is great, I love this,'" he said on the podcast. "I was like 13, 14. Obviously, the whole love thing kind of went over my head a bit, but as far as the art, the slickness, the wish fulfillment…I didn't go to a lot of museums growing up as a kid. But when I watched that movie, I kind of saw a side of New York that I guess I didn't see before."
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"My mom's an artist, so I grew up around paints and canvases and upholstery and leather dyeing…So I had a love and appreciation of an artist's journey before I even became an artist myself."
Jordan, who made his directorial debut in 2023 withCreed III, suggested a new imagining ofThe Thomas Crown Affairto Amazon MGM Studios. He shot the film in London, and it's set to be released on March 5, 2027.
"For me, the biggest thing was I didn't want it to be a reboot or a remake," Jordan said. "I really want to reimagine it. So it was a reimagination of what it is…what I liked about it was it didn't have too much baggage. It was just enough time and gap between generations."
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But Jordan also wants the film, which will also starRuth Negga,Aubrey Plaza,Kenneth BranaghandLily Gladstone, to divert people's expectations.
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"The first two films were these two rich White dudes that were stealing because they were pretty much bored…this one's a bit more personal and the stakes are a lot higher."
Jordan also discussed his experience working with longtime collaboratorRyan Coogleron the recent horror filmSinners. Jordan has worked with the director across multiple franchises, likeCreedandBlack Panther,butSinnersleft him "in awe."
The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!"I felt like he wanted to do something for him fully, and I felt that passion, and it made me excited about it," the actor said of the movie, which was inspired by Coogler's relationship with his uncle James and his connection to blues music.Jordan, who plays twin brothers in the film, says hisThomas Crownreimagining was "the second hardest thing I've ever had to do in my life outside of this performance inSinners" — but the latter was well worth it."I want everybody that took the time away from their family to come down here to make a movie with us — I want them to get all the love and the respect and the props they deserve," he said.
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