Le Carré's Sons Block Oldman from Tinker Tailor Sequel, Claims Manager

Gary Oldman's manager has reported that the sons of renowned author John le Carré have prevented the actor from reprising his role as George Smiley in a sequel to the 2011 film Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. This unexpected development has raised questions about the future of the potential sequel based on le Carré's novel Smiley's People.

The original film, released 13 years ago, was an adaptation of le Carré's 1974 novel and featured Oldman as the aging spymaster George Smiley. The movie received critical acclaim, with Oldman earning an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor. The cast also included notable performers such as Benedict Cumberbatch, Colin Firth, and John Hurt.

Douglas Urbanski, Oldman's manager, expressed confusion over the decision, stating that they had begun preparations for the sequel when an unexpected rights issue arose. Despite recent attempts to communicate with le Carré's sons, Simon and Nick Cornwell, there appears to be no interest in allowing Oldman to portray Smiley again.

Nick Cornwell, who writes under the pen name Nick Harkaway, has a personal connection to the Smiley character. He is set to release a new novel titled "Karla's Choice" in October 2024, which will explore Smiley's missing years between two of le Carré's famous works. Cornwell has expressed the deep personal significance of the Smiley stories, having grown up with the evolution of the fictional intelligence agency known as the Circus.

"I love the movie, love your Smiley… it's a beautiful performance"

Le Carré, whose real name was David John Moore Cornwell, passed away in December 2020 at the age of 89. He had praised Oldman's portrayal of Smiley, describing it as a performance with "the energy of the object" and likening the casting to a rabbit being pulled out of a hat. The author even made a cameo appearance in the 2011 film, demonstrating his approval of the adaptation.

Oldman, in turn, expressed admiration for le Carré, referring to him as "a very great author" who had mastered the spy novel genre. This mutual respect makes the current situation all the more perplexing.

The reason behind the decision to block Oldman from reprising the role remains unclear. Le Carré's works, known for their exploration of moral ambiguities in espionage during the Cold War era, have been translated into over 30 languages and have garnered a global following. The character of George Smiley, featured in multiple novels, is celebrated for his intelligence, patience, and unassuming nature.

As the literary world anticipates the release of "Karla's Choice," which promises to fill in gaps in Smiley's story, fans of le Carré's work and Oldman's portrayal are left wondering about the future of Smiley on the big screen. The situation highlights the complex interplay between literary estates, film rights, and artistic interpretation in the world of adaptations.