An adaptation of Elmore Leonard’s 1978 novel The Switch has been in the works for awhile now. The tale is a precursor to Rum Punch, which Quentin Tarantino previously adapted into Jackie Brown. As you may or may not know, Elmore Leonard tends to interconnect his novels and The Switch happens to revolve around two main characters from Rum Punch: Ordell Robbie & Louis Gara. This being the same pair of misfits that were portrayed in Jackie Brown by Samuel L. Jackson and Robert De Niro.
The novel is set 15 years before the events Punch and the story revolves around Robbie and Gara kidnapping the wife of a corrupt real estate developer for ransom. However, in a Ruthless People-esque turn of events, said husband has no interest in paying to get his wife back. Enraged, she plots her vengeance with Robbie and Gara.
Shortened simply to Switch, the production is scheduled to gear up in May and Leonard himself is among the producers on board the project. The most interesting bit of info lies within the casting: the great John Hawkes will be taking on the role of Louis Gara and Yasiin Bey (aka Mos Def) that of Ordell Robbie. Daniel Schechter (Supporting Characters) will be directing from his own screenplay.
Interesting, no? While this obviously is not being positioned as an actual prequel to Jackie Brown, one has to wonder if it will still be set in the past…………allowing it to line-up with QT’s film…………..or instead be a modern day adaptation. I’m sure we’ll find out sooner than later once one considers the talent involved, the connection to QT’s own film, and Elmore Leonard’s resurgence in popularity due to Justified. More as it develops.
Source | Variety