Yes, but a glance at the advance credits shows some guy named Donald Westlake stealing all of Richard Stark's thunder. Westlake is credited as having written the book on which the film is based, instead of Stark.

But that's alright because, as it turns out, he and Stark are the same man.

Richard Stark was one of over 15 pen names Westlake used over the course of his jaw-droppingly prolific career. Releasing as many as seven novels a year, Westlake penned more than 100 books in the course of a 53-year publishing career that has continued past his death. His latest title, "The Comedy Is Finished," was published earlier this year, more than three years after his death on New Year's Eve 2008, at age 75.

The new film, which has wrapped production and is slated for release on Jan. 25, 2013, is simply called "Parker" and will feature action star Jason Statham in the title role.

According to a plot synopsis on IMDb.com, the film is based on the book "Flashfire," which Westlake released in 2000.

It seems that Hollywood just decided it was time for another Parker film -- indeed, there's been one every decade since the '60s.

It started with 1967's "Point Blank," an adaptation of the novel "The Hunter," starring Lee Marvin as the Parker character (renamed Walker in the film). In 1973, Robert Duvall starred in "The Outfit," based on the book of the same name, playing Earl Macklin (named Parker in the novel).

Peter Coyote took on the role (renamed Stone this time) in 1983's "Slayground," and in 1999 Mel Gibson played the character, this time named Porter, in "Payback," another adaptation of "The Hunter."

So this new version is the first not to play fast and loose with character names, and that goes for the supporting cast as well. Michael Chiklis (formerly of "The Shield" and "No Ordinary Family") will star as Melander, a fellow professional thief who tries to force Parker to help him with a jewel heist in Florida, and singer/actress Jennifer Lopez will play Leslie, a real estate agent who helps Parker steal the jewels out from under Melander. Both characters appeared as named in the original book.

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