Tom Clancy, the American author behind the best-selling stories featuring CIA Analyst Jack Ryan has died at the age of 66. Beyond the page, Clancy's novels and ideas, often based upon the intricate ways the Cold War and subsequent espionage was conducted, became the basis for a series of Hollywood movies featuring Ryan. Over the years, the role of the reluctant hero was played by the likes of Alec Baldwin (opposite Sean Conenry in The Hunt for Red October), Harrison Ford (in both Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger) and then by Ben Affleck in The Sum of All Fears. The character will once again return to screens, looking at the character's younger years, with Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit in December and featuring Star Trek's Chris Pine in the title role and with co-star and director Sir Kenneth Branagh.
A well-known Republican and NRA supporter, Clancy was the author of over twenty-five books with over two-thirds of his releaes ultimately topping thhe New York Times Bestsellers' List. His most recent 'Threat Vector' was published in December 2012 with 'Command Authority' due to hit shelves in early December 2013.
However Tom Clancy's success was not only limited to th printed page and cinema screen - his work was also the inspiration and starting point for a range of highly-successful computer games. He was one of the founders of Red Storm Entertainment and his name is associated with the likes of key releases such as Splinter Cell, Rainbox Six and Ghost Recon.
In addition to his literary works, he was also co-owner of the Baltimore Orioles baseball team.
UPDATED:
In the wake of Tom Clancy's death earlier this week, Paramount USA Chairman Brad Grey has commented on the author's passing:
"Tom Clancy was one of the great storytellers of our time and his passing has been deeply felt by all of us at Paramount. We are forever indebted to Tom for making this studio his home, and our deepest sympathies go out to his family, and his many fans, at this great loss," he said in a statement.
Though Clancy and Hollywood didn't always see eye-to-eye on all of their adpatations, there's no doubt the films were huge successes and Paramount has today released the poster for the next Jack Ryan movie which is called Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit. It hits UK screens on Boxing Day (December 26th) with Chris Pine in the starring role...
Here's the new poster and trailer:
