Fletch (1985): Michael Ritchie’s Comedy Thriller, Starring Chevy Chase

Starring Chevy Chase, Michael Ritchie’s comedy-thriller Fletch is scripted by Andrew Bergman, loosely based on Gregory Mcdonald’s popular Fletch novels.

The film revolves around Los Angeles Times reporter Irwin M. “Fletch” Fletcher (Chase), who is offered a large sum of money to kill a millionaire with a terminal cancer prognosis.

Fletch becomes suspicious when he discovers that the man is not ill, and his continuous investigation poses threat to his life.

In the 1970s, Burt Reynolds and Mick Jagger were considered for the part, but author Mcdonald opted for Chevy Chase, though he was not familiar with the comedian’s work.

Chase grabbed the opportunity of playing several different characters and working with props, and later said that it was his favorite screen role.

Both a critical and commercial success, Fletch has since developed a cult following.

It was followed in 1989 by an inferior sequel, Fletch Lives, also directed by Ritchie.