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THE OFFICE star JOHN KRASINSKI is the hot favourite to play IRWIN ‘FLETCH’ FLETCHER in a new adaptation of Gregory McDonald’s series of novels.

A number of actors have been considered as successors to Chevy Chase – who played Fletch in three 1980s films – including Jason Lee, Ryan Reynolds and most recently Joshua Jackson.

But Krasinki admits he is in the running for the role. He tells MTV News, “My name was tossed around a little bit for the role, and it’s something that (I might consider).

“I have no idea (if they’ll cast me). I’ve been shooting a movie down in North Carolina, so I’ve kind of lost touch with who (else) is in the running.

“I read the script, and it is hilarious. It’s just one of those things that is so terrifying, to step up and be in a role that was done so perfectly.

“I mean, Chevy Chase not only created that role, but he did it pretty damn well. So (playing that character) is a scary situation. I don’t know what’s going on with it right now, but I am sure whoever does it will be fantastic. You just have to have some guts to do that.”

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Bill Lawrence, the creator of hit TV show Scrubs, is set to adapt and direct a new prequel to ’80s flick “Fletch.” And if everything goes smoothly, Scrubs star Zach Braff will be taking on the title role, originally played by Chevy Chase.

“Zach is perfect for the role,” Lawrence told the Hollywood Reporter. “I’m going to use all my pull trying to make him do it.”

E! Online reports that the new film, titled “Fletch Won,” will be adapted from Gregory Mcdonald’s comedic mystery novel of the same name. The book traces Irwin Fletch’s early days as the reporter tries to crack his first murder case.

“The coolest thing about the ‘Fletch Won’ book is that it’s an origin story,” said Lawrence in a press release. “Like ‘Batman Begins,’ I think people will enjoy seeing how Irwin Fletcher became Fletch.”

Though nine Fletch books were written by Mcdonald in the 1980s, only two were made into films. The second, “Fletch Lives,” bombed at the box office when it was released in 1989.