Ben Stiller\u00a0and\u00a0Cate Blanchett\u00a0are teaming up to turn the 1960s espionage television series \u201cThe Champions\u201d into a movie.<\/p>\n
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. Additional producers include ITV Studios America and New Republic Pictures.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Champions\u201d movie, paying homage to the TV show from Dennis Spooner, follows three United Nations agents whose plane crashes into the Himalayas. Upon being rescued by an advanced civilization secretly living in Tibet, they are granted enhanced intellectual and physical abilities. When the agents return to the outside world, they use their new superhuman abilities to become champions of law, order and justice.<\/p>\n
\u201c\u2019Champions\u2019 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\u2019ve long wanted to work with Ben \u2014 the director and the actor. He is one of the most engaged and versatile directors working today. Anyone who can make both \u2018Zoolander\u2019 and \u2018Escape at Dannemora\u2019 is a creative force to be reckoned with,\u201d said Blanchett.<\/p>\n
Stiller adds, \u201cI\u2019m a huge fan of Cate\u2019s for a very long time. I\u2019m hoping this project will help people to finally take her seriously as an actress.\u201d<\/p>\n
The small-screen version of \u201cThe Champions\u201d ran in the U.K. on ITV. The series, which consists of 30 episodes, aired in the U.S. on NBC starting in the summer of 1968. Stuart Damon, Alexandra Bastedo, William Gaunt and Anthony Nicholls starred in the show.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no doubt that we have a superhuman team on board to bring this riveting series to life for a new audience,\u201d said Philippe Maigret, President of ITV Studios America.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Champions\u201d marks the latest collaboration between New Republic and Dirty Films through its first-look deal. They previously announced \u201cQueen Bitch and the High Horse,\u201d written by Eric Matthew Brown and directed by Bert and Bertie.<\/p>\n
\u201cNew Republic Pictures is thrilled to be teaming up with Ben Stiller and Cate Blanchett \u2014 an irresistible cinematic spy duo if ever there were one \u2014 along with our friends at ITV and Dirty Films, as we reimagine ITV\u2019s fun and iconic 1960\u2019s espionage franchise, \u2018The Champions.\u2019 Literally can\u2019t wait,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n
Blanchett is currently in production on Todd Field\u2019s drama \u201cTar\u201d and recently wrapped filming on Eli Roth\u2019s video game adaptation \u201cBorderlands.\u201d She will be seen next in Guillermo del Toro\u2019s thriller \u201cNightmare Alley\u201d for Searchlight Pictures and Adam McKay\u2019s environmental satire \u201cDon\u2019t Look Up\u201d at Netflix.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stiller is working on the Apple Plus workplace thriller \u201cSeverance,\u201d a drama series he\u2019s directing and co-starring with Adam Scott and Patricia Arquette. He\u2019s also set to direct \u201cBag Man,\u201d based on Rachel Maddow\u2019s podcast; \u201cLondon\u201d starring Oscar Isaac; and \u201cHigh Desert\u201d featuring Arquette.<\/p>\n
Blanchett is repped by CAA and Wolf Kasteler Public Relations. Stiller is repped by UTA, ID, and Gang, Tyre, Ramer, Brown & Passman.<\/p>\n