Gaumont signs Mission: Impossible scribe

Tom Cruise in Christopher McQuarrie’s Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation

Narcos producer Gaumont has signed a first-look TV deal with screenwriter, producer and director Chris McQuarrie and his producing partner Heather McQuarrie.

As part of the pact, Chris McQuarrie will write, direct, and produce multiple scripted drama projects for the studio. He is currently directing and coproducing the latest instalment in the Mission: Impossible movie franchise, which he also wrote.

The first project to go into development under the pact is STL (working title), a TV drama series adaptation of Gaumont’s French feature film 36 Quai des Orfèvres.

Set in the gritty criminal underworld, it follows the ruthless competition between the cops at the Criminal Investigations Division. Chris McQuarrie will direct and executive produce alongside Heather McQuarrie.

Ben Ripley (Source Code, Flatliners) will adapt the drama for TV and serve as writer/executive producer.

“Chris is an industry icon – he is a master storyteller, world-class director, and hugely talented producer, and he and Heather are a pivotal partnership for Gaumont as we increase our investment into new productions for the global market,” said Gaumont’s president of television, US, Gene Stein.

Gaumont is currently in pre-production on season four of Narcos for Netflix. Meanwhile, Chris McQuarrie is set to direct the upcoming Netflix feature film The Chameleon. He is producing the project with Heather McQuarrie, Terence Winter and Rachel Winter.