Jon Hamm Is Bringing Back The Classic Chevy Chase Character With 'Confess, Fletch'

It's taken nearly three decades but the character of Fletch is finally coming back. 

For those who might not remember Fletch (1985) and the sequel Fletch Lives (1989), Chevy Chase played Irwin M. Fletcher, a reporter who uses disguises and a quick-wit in order to find out the real story behind what he is sent to report on. Played as a sarcastically funny modern-day detective noir, the character came from a book series by author Gregory McDonald. 

The new film, titled Confess, Fletch, will be directed by Superbad's Greg Mattola and will star Mad Men lead Jon Hamm as the pseudo-detective. Adding to the stellar casting, the film has also cast fellow Mad Men alum John Slattery along with Marcia Gay Harden, Kyle MacLachlan, Annie Mumolo, Lorenza Izzo, Ayden Mayeri, and Roy Wood Jr.

The idea of making new Fletch films has been floating around Hollywood for years, once with Clerks 3 director Kevin Smith at the helm with Jason Lee taking over the role. Unfortunately, all attempts to get a new series of films off the ground fell through. 

The news broke as an exclusive from Deadline, where Jon Hamm had this to say about the project:

"I am beyond excited to continue to tell the story of Irwin M. Fletcher. But please don't call him Irwin. I can't wait for people to see what I hope will be the first of many installments in Gregory MacDonald's wonderful detective novel series. As a fan of the books for even longer than I have been a fan of the original film, it's an honor and a pleasure to bring 'Fletch' back home, in all his shambling and off-center yet somehow witty and sophisticated, messy, funny, glory to Paramount."

Confess, Fletch is being put out by Paramount Global Content Distribution and will be released in a limited theatrical run that will be available on Premium Video-on-Demand same day beginning on September 16th, then will premiere on Showtime on October 28th.