Update: Is George Clooney the New Jack Ryan?

The Daily Beast's Kim Masters revealed this bit in her article about George Clooney's move to Sony Pictures:

Clooney also appears to be looking for his next commercial opportunity now that the Ocean's franchise seems to be played out. A source says he expressed interest in playing Jack Ryan when and if Paramount attempts to revive the Tom Clancy series. Clooney seems to recognize that at this time in the world and this time in his life (he's pushing 50), it's time for some commercial maintenance.

Alec Baldwin originated Ryan in 1990's The Hunt for Red October. Harrison Ford played the character in 1992's Patriot Games and 1994's Clear and Present Danger. Ben Affleck played Ryan in 2002's The Sum of All Fears.

UPDATE: Variety reports that Paramount and producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura are awaiting the first draft of an original screenplay currently called the "Untitled Tom Clancy Project" from screenwriter Hossein Amini (Jude, Killshot).

Anthony Peckham to Pen New Jack Ryan Movie

Screenwriter Anthony Peckham has been hired by Paramount to work on the untitled Jack Ryan project. Hossein Amini and Adam Koxac previously worked on the script for the thriller.

Chris Pine is attached to star as Jack Ryan in the film, based on Tom Clancy's intelligence officer-turned-action hero. Jack Bender ("Lost") is attached to direct with Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Mace Neufeld producing.

The movie, expected to tell the story of Ryan's early career, is set in Russia, with terrorist acts as a backdrop. Shooting is targeted to start this year or early next year.

Peckham has worked on the script for Sherlock Holmes, Invictus and The Book of Eli.