Thescreescore – Tom Holland is set to star in "The Partner," a film adaptation of John Grisham’s gripping 1997 legal thriller, and the project just got a major boost with Jason Bateman stepping in to direct. According to Deadline, Bateman will helm the Universal Studios production, adding his directorial flair to the already intriguing premise. He will also executive produce through his Aggregate Films production company.
Holland, who signed onto the project in January 2025, will also produce. The screenplay is being penned by Graham Moore, the Oscar-winning writer behind "The Imitation Game." Further casting details and a release date are yet to be announced.
"The Partner" plunges into the shadowy world of Patrick Lanigan (Holland), a young, ambitious partner in a corrupt law firm. Seeking a fresh start, Lanigan executes a daring plan: stealing $90 million from a client, faking his own death, and fleeing to South America. However, his past catches up with him as the defrauded client, refusing to believe Lanigan is dead, relentlessly pursues him, jeopardizing his carefully constructed new life.
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This marks Bateman’s return to feature film directing after a decade, following his previous works, "Bad Words" (2013) and "The Family Fang" (2015). In the intervening years, Bateman has honed his directing skills in television, earning an Emmy for his work on the acclaimed Netflix series "Ozark" and directing episodes of his recent series, "Black Rabbit."
While the commencement of production for "The Partner" remains uncertain, Holland is currently immersed in filming "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," slated for release on July 31, 2026. He also features in Christopher Nolan’s "The Odyssey," also scheduled for a July 17, 2026, release. Speculation also continues regarding Holland’s future as Spider-Man, particularly concerning his potential involvement in "Avengers: Secret Wars," for which he is not currently confirmed.
"The Partner" joins a distinguished list of John Grisham novels adapted for the big screen. Ten of his works have previously been transformed into successful films, including "The Firm," "The Pelican Brief," "The Client," and "A Time to Kill." This adaptation marks the first Grisham novel to be adapted into a movie since 2004’s "Christmas with the Kranks," based on "Skipping Christmas."
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