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Reports of the death of the Veronica Mars movie have been greatly exaggerated says show creator Rob Thomas.  After its cancellation in 2007, fans have been clamoring to see a new mystery for the sardonic detective (played by Kristen Bell) to solve.  A film version was believed to be dead after Bell said there was a script but Thomas denied it.  Thomas has now clarified the situation to EW and says there was a treatment that he took to Warner Bros. and producer Joel Silver, but the studio said there wasn't enough awareness of the property to give a greenlight.  However, Thomas says he's still looking for a way to make the movie.

Hit the jump for Thomas' comments on the built-in expiration date for the project and why I think this movie shouldn't be so difficult to make.

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Here's what Thomas had to say about the ticking clock on a Mars movie:

"There is a bit of a ticking clock [because] Kristen Bell does continue to age," he concedes of his 29-year-old leading lady. "And doing 'teen detective' [is a] dicey proposition. But frankly, I think Veronica Mars as a 30-year-old noir detective at some point in the future would still be interesting to me.

First, let me say that it's a major revelation that Kristen Bell continues to age.  Secondly, I don't know why Thomas would even consider going towards "teen detective," especially when his pitch for a fourth season of the show would have had Veronica as an FBI agent.

But I love the idea of Bell (who, to her credit, does not look anywhere near 29), playing a noir detective.  It suits the character's prickly personality and the dark storylines Thomas was willing to pursue during the show's run.  I also don't think that kind of movie would have a large price tag.  Bell's latest movie, When in Rome, racked up $32 million domestic and I think her appeal combined with the pitch of a hot, jaded detective would sell to those who have never seen the show.

I do have one request of the movie: Thomas has to bring back Jason Dohring and Enrico Colantoni.  They're too great.