The film will honor the original detective series that was produced in 1968 by Dennis Spooner for the British network ITV.
Actor-filmmaker Ben Stiller will direct and star on the big screen in the 1960s British series “The Champions” alongside Oscar winner Cate Blanchett.
Read also | Get ‘First Day First Show’ our weekly newsletter from the world of cinema delivered to your inbox, You can subscribe for free here
According to DiversityThe film will honor the original detective series that Dennis Spooner produced in 1968 for the British network ITV.
It follows three United Nations agents whose plane crashes in the Himalayas. When secretly rescued by an advanced civilization living in Tibet, they are granted increased intellectual and physical abilities. When the Agents return to the outside world, they use their newfound supernatural abilities to become champions of law, order, and justice.
In addition to starring in and directing the film, Stiller will produce the project through his Red Hour Productions with Blanchett and his company Dirty Films.
ITV Studios America and New Republic Pictures are also involved as producers.
Blanchett said, “‘Champions’ is a long-forgotten gem that will excite a new generation in the same strange and wonderful way that the original series spoke to us.”
“I’ve wanted to work with Ben – director and actor for a long time. He’s one of the busiest and most versatile directors to work with today. Anyone who can make both ‘Zoolander’ and ‘Escape at Dannemora’ can do that.” There is a creative force, which must be counted.”
Stiller said he is looking forward to working with Blanchett because he has been a fan of his work.
“I have been a big fan of Kate for a very long time. I hope this project helps people to take her seriously as an actress,” he said.
Stiller is currently working on Apple TV Plus’ workplace thriller series “Severance,” starring Adam Scott, Patricia Arquette, Brit Lower, John Turturro and Christopher Walken.
He is also attached to direct Focus Features “Bag Man” and “London”, an adaptation of Joe Nesbo’s short story, starring Oscar Isaacs.
Blanchett recently finished shooting Eli Roth’s “Borderlands” and is now working on the Todd Field-directed feature “Tar.”
She will next star in Guillermo del Toro’s “Nightmare Alley” as well as two Netflix projects – “Pinocchio” and Adam McKay’s film “Don’t Look Up.”
,