Paramount Pictures is moving forward with a new take on the 2003 heist thriller The Italian Job, with director Paul Feig reportedly in early talks to helm the project. The news, confirmed by multiple industry insiders, signals that the studio is serious about reviving the franchise nearly a quarter-century after the original’s release, betting that a fresh voice can inject new life into the high-octane caper.
Feig, best known for his comedic hits like Bridesmaids and Spy, would be a significant departure from the action-heavy style of the original’s director, F. Gary Gray. That 2003 film, which starred Mark Wahlberg, Charlize Theron, and Jason Statham, was itself a remake of the 1969 British classic starring Michael Caine. Paramount has not yet confirmed a script, a cast, or a production timeline, but Feig’s involvement suggests the studio may be looking to blend humor with the adrenaline-fueled heist formula rather than simply recreating the earlier film’s gritty tone.
Feig’s recent work has leaned into action-comedy hybrids - The Heat paired buddy-cop chaos with laughs, and A Simple Favor mixed mystery with sharp wit - so his potential hiring hints at a project that could prioritize charisma and banter alongside car chases. Whether the new film will follow the same plot beats as the 2003 version, or chart an entirely new story with new characters, remains unclear. Talks are said to be in the early stages, and deal terms have not been finalized.
A Look Back at the Original
The 2003 The Italian Job, which ran 110 minutes and was released on May 30 of that year, centered on mastermind Charlie Croker, played by Wahlberg. After pulling off a spectacular gold heist in Venice, Croker and his team are double-crossed by a treacherous accomplice, Steve, portrayed with cold menace by Edward Norton. Left for dead and stripped of their score, Croker assembles a new crew to hunt Steve down and reclaim what was stolen.
That team included Theron as Stella Bridger, a "drop-dead gorgeous safecracker" whose late father had ties to the gang, as well as Seth Green as the tech-savvy Lyle, Jason Statham as the womanizing getaway driver Handsome Rob, and Donald Sutherland as the grizzled John Bridger. The film’s second half pivoted to Los Angeles, where the heist became a chaotic, pedal-to-the-metal pursuit through the city’s streets, underground tunnels, and even above its rooftops. The movie was nominated for an Academy Award for its editing, a testament to the taut precision of its chase sequences.
Critically, the film earned a TMDb score of 6.8 out of 10, with reviewers praising its slick pacing and ensemble chemistry while noting it never quite matched the dark wit of the 1969 original. It performed solidly at the box office, though no exact figures have been attached to the new project’s development.
Feig’s Track Record and a Change of Pace
If Feig signs on, it would mark a notable shift for the director, whose most recent features - The School for Good and Evil on Netflix and the 2024 horror-comedy Jackpot! - have had mixed receptions. But his earlier success with female-led comedies and his ability to craft memorable, improvisation-friendly ensembles could make him an intriguing fit for a heist movie, which relies heavily on team dynamics and sharp dialogue.
The original 2003 cast was praised for its on-screen chemistry, from Statham’s cocky one-liners to Green’s nerdy quips. Feig would likely want to assemble a similarly charismatic group, possibly leaning into his knack for spotting comedic talent. However, whether the new film will feature any returning characters - or an entirely fresh set of criminals - remains an open question. Fan chatter has already floated names like Seth Green reprising Lyle, but no casting discussions have begun publicly.
Why Revive The Italian Job Now?
Paramount’s interest in resurrecting the property is not hard to understand. The studio has been mining its back catalog for franchise potential, and the heist genre has seen a resurgence in recent years, driven by hits like Ocean’s Eight and Netflix’s Red Notice. The Italian Job offers a built-in brand name, a template for globe-trotting action, and the chance to modernize a story that many younger viewers may only know through the 2003 version.
Still, a new film will face a delicate balancing act: honoring the cool precision that made the original a crowd-pleaser while offering something that feels new and timely. Feig’s tendency toward smart, character-driven humor could either refresh the formula or clash with fans’ expectations of a straight action thriller. Paramount executives are reportedly aware of that risk, which is why they may wait to green-light the project until a script is in place.
For now, the project exists only as an early negotiation. No release date has been anchored, and Feig’s schedule - along with any potential writer - will need to be cleared. But with the studio clearly in an acquisitive mood and Feig’s name attached, the wheels are turning on a new Italian Job. Whether it will be a faithful update or a wild left-turn remains to be seen, but if involved, Feig will likely deliver a cast that can talk as fast as they drive.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
