Moviehole was the first to report that Paramount are developing a new series of films based on the character of Jack Ryan, created by author Tom Clancy.

Though originally in talks with Phil Noyce, who helmed the Ryan-centric "Patriot Games" and "Clear and Present Danger", the studio most recently set their sights on "City of God" helmer Fernardo Meirelles to direct. Seems Meirelles has now also been dropped - what is this!? musical chairs!? - in favour of Sam Raimi.

Raimi, says Variety, will direct and produce a new series of films based on the character first introduced to movie screens in 1990's "The Hunt for Red October". The new films fix on a young Jack Ryan (rumoured to be played by Ryan Gosling), and may be set in contemporary times.

Paramount will draft a scribe to write a Ryan movie that Raimi would shoot after he completes the Universal horror film "Drag Me to Hell." Paramount wants the Ryan movie ready for release in summer 2010.

While Clancy is completing another Ryan novel, the studio hasn't read it and so hasn't decided if it will use the new book or come up with an original story. Paramount controls rights to the Ryan character, and gets first look at the new novel. Initially, we were informed, that the name of the first new Ryan film would be "Any Means Necessary".