Archer’s ‘Honor’ aims for franchise
Frank Marshall to produce, pacts for 10-book adaptation deal
By DAVE MCNARY
TORONTO — Frank Marshall has come on board to produce an adaptation of Jeffrey Archer’s “A Matter of Honor” with New Franchise Media.
Deal, which covers rights 10 books, was announced Tuesday at the Toronto Film Festival.

The espionage action/thriller will be developed as the first feature in the potential franchise to be produced by Marshall and The Kennedy/Marshall Co. in association with Toronto-based NFMI.

“Jeffrey Archer is a master storyteller whose suspenseful plots and compelling characters have the potential for a multi-feature film franchise with both domestic and international appeal,” Marshall said.

“A Matter of Honor” is based on a young ex-military officer character who unwittingly comes between rival intelligence agencies in pursuit of an object that can change the global balance of power forever.

Dianne Schwalm, NFMI’s VP of Partnership Development, said, “Jeffrey Archer’s stories are terrific source material for a range of modern media platforms, including independent and studio features, broadcast television & cable series.”

The announcement noted that sales of Archer’s books exceed 300 million copies worldwide.

Kennedy/Marshall’s franchises include Bourne, Indiana Jones and the “Back to the Future” trilogy. Marshall is currently in principal photography of “The Bourne Legacy,” the fourth film in the franchise based on the works of Robert Ludlum.

Craig Emanuel and Erik Hyman of Loeb & Loeb LLP advised NFMI and Eric M. Brooks of Bloom, Hergott, Diemer, Rosenthal & LaViolette represented The Kennedy/Marshall Co.

Contact Dave McNary at dave.mcnary@variety.com