Jack Ryan, as it is currently called, is a new film around the central hero of The Hunt for Red October, Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger. The new film is intended to set up sequels around star Chris Pine, from Star Trek.

The new film will likely not be called Jack Ryan, but whatever the title it’s said to be a sort of origin story for Ryan, and follow his life before entering the CIA. He was in the Marines, and leaves that to work as a financial consultant for a Russian Billionaire. I don’t think this is meant to be a cover for the CIA, but as he gets in deep with his Russian boss’s plan to devalue the American dollar and destroy our economy he starts working against the man. His military training serves him well, and when shit hits the fan he has the ability to fight. Cool.

Jack Ryan

Kenneth Branagh is continuing his current run of non-Shakespeare, or at least Classic in general, with Jack Ryan. After Thor he’s going to just keep on making badass action. Sounds good. He’s also in negotiations to play the villain, named Viktor Stazov. While this is still in the negotiation stage, I have little doubt he’ll play the villain, as if he isn’t given the role I imagine he’ll drop out as director, and this project has been around for a while now and I’m sure the studio wants it made ASAP.

Jack Ryan Trailer

No trailer yet.

Jack Ryan Release Date

December 25, 2013.

Pictures

Who’s In It?

Chris Pine… Jack Ryan
Kenneth Branagh… Viktor Stazov

What’s Good About It?

I really like Kenneth Branagh. Not only was Thor outstanding, but his Shakespearean background makes him a top quality intellectual director. Add in the budget of a big action tent pole and you get a great film. I expect he’ll do a great job on Jack Ryan, and I think Chris Pine will have little trouble playing a role already made famous by a Hollywood legend. He already did it with Star Trek, and that fan base is FAR more fickle than those for Jack Ryan.

What’s Bad About It?

Too early to complain about anything just yet.

Our Clever Prediction

I think Jack Ryan will be a big success, and while I don’t think it’ll set the world on fire, I do think it’ll be a commercial success. The only thing it has going against it is that there are quite a few spy franchises about these days and the public might get a bit bored. Seriously, there’s a new Bond later this year, and Jeremy Renner is the new Bourne. That’s a lot of spying going on.