Christopher McQuarrie boards The Champions

Chris McQuarrie- who has just worked with old mucker Bryan Singer on Valkyrie – has signed on to write two films for United Artists – TV adaptation The Champions and true-life tale The Monster Of Florence.

The Champions, which already boasts Guillermo del Toro (yes, him again) as producer, was optioned by the company a while ago.

Readers old enough to remember the ‘60s (or anyone who has seen the show in repeats) will know that The Champions ran for one short-lived season in the late ‘60s.

Special Powers

The series followed three government agents who were rescued from a plane crash by an advanced civilization and given special powers.

“Champions is a "great premise with fascinating potential; I wanted to be involved from the moment Guillermo and I first discussed it," McQuarrie tells Variety .

Also on his plate is The Monster Of Florence, adapted from Douglas Preston’s bestseller.

Horrific discovery

The writer, having just moved to Italy in 2000, discovered that the olive grove on his property was the site of a brutal murder. Preston began digging and discovered the story of a horrific multiple murder.

It's a "surreal account of two writers opening a proverbial Pandora's box with their research," McQuarrie explains. "They witness first-hand how the misguided good intentions of others allow evil to flourish, eventually becoming a part of the story themselves."