The adventures of the CIA analyst started off in book form by writer Tom Clancy, before being adapted into four blockbuster movies. Alec Baldwin starred as Ryan in 1990s The Hunt For Red October, before being replaced by Harrison Ford in 1992s Patriot Games and 1994s Clear and Present Danger (pic). Ben Affleck was to last actor to play the character in 2002s The Sum Of All Fears.
Clancy is writing another Jack Ryan novel, but it is not yet known whether they will use the source material for the latest movie. It is believed they are wanting to portray the character in his early years and Ryan Gosling has long been mooted to star in the film.
City of God's Fernando Mereilles was rumoured to be directing the fifth movie, but it is Raimi who has been given the surprise nod to helm the blockbuster, which will be released in 2010.
Before Raimi's work on the three Spider-Man movies, he had previously directed cult horror movies including the Evil Dead films.
Maybe Ryan is facing a supernatural enemy in the new movie!