Screenplay Credit Mystery: Who Really Wrote Thomas Crown Affair?

Michael B. Jordan's forthcoming reimagining of "The Thomas Crown Affair," slated for release on March 5, 2027, is facing scrutiny over its writing credits. Kurt Wimmer and Leslie Dixon, the screenwriters behind the 1999 remake, have been awarded screenplay credit for the new film, alongside Drew Pearce. This decision by the Writers Guild of America is particularly noteworthy as Wimmer and Dixon reportedly had no involvement in the latest iteration.

The original "Thomas Crown Affair" premiered in 1968, with a 1999 remake following. The upcoming version, also starring and directed by Jordan, will see its credits appear on trailers and posters soon. While Alan Trustman, who wrote the 1968 original, receives a "story by" credit along with Joe Carnahan for an earlier draft, Wimmer and Dixon's full screenplay credit for a version they did not work on is unprecedented.

This unusual credit decision could have significant implications for screenwriters. A similar, though distinct, situation occurred with Joseph Stefano receiving screenplay credit for the 1998 "Psycho" remake. The shift in the "Thomas Crown Affair" franchise from bank robbery to art theft in the 1999 film may be a factor. However, it remains unclear what specific elements from the 1999 script influenced this credit award, potentially impacting other contributors like Jason Hall.