Is Clint Eastwood Returning as Dirty Harry?

This one goes under the big rumor category. But given the substantial lack of information we brought you on the topic yesterday and the confirmed detail that Clint Eastwood is returning to star in and direct a fast-tracked film titled Gran Torino this year, we at least have to mention this. AICN apparently received an email from a guy, Kurt, who lives in North Hollywood, stating that someone from Village Roadshow Pictures approached him about buying his advertised 1974 Ford Gran Torino for the next Clint Eastwood movie. Could this be Dirty Harry 6?

"I recently advertised my 1974 ford grand torino classic original for sale in the local here, and within 24 hours had someone from Village Roadshow Pictures interested in having a look at it. He came. He wasn't interested for numerous reasons (probably the modifications). He told me they were looking for the right car for a new Clint Eastwood movie.

He said it was a thriller about a killer that drives a certain torino. His 1972 Ford Gran Torino is the only thing the police have on him. A retired police lieutenant, one Harry Callahan, makes it his mission to track down the culprit when two young police officers, one Callahan's grandson, are shot and killed by the guy."

I'm really skeptical of this news. First off, if it's true, that individual from the production company should be fired. Talk about spilling the beans on what is most certainly hot news. Secondly, would Eastwood really come out of retirement to reprise inspector Harry Callahan? Sly Stallone Eastwood is not. And while Stallone can rely on human growth hormones to get his 61-year-old body in shape for Rambo, I find it hard to believe that Eastwood, who will be 78 soon, can decisively return as badass Dirty Harry. No offense, but Eastwood was a bit long-in-the-tooth back in 1993's In the Line of Fire, where he played a secret service agent chasing John Malkovich.

Not only that, another Dirty Harry doesn't follow Eastwood's latest, acclaimed directorial work. Part of the speculation so far has been that Gran Torino will be fast-tracked for a December release this year to get in under the Oscar gun. The series is hardly Oscar-worthy. So again, would Eastwood really come out of retirement for this reason?

I'm thinking, no, but I obviously could be wrong. Gran Torino definitely speaks to the '70s-era Ford car, which is the same time period of the Dirty Harry series. However, it's been 20 years since the last film (The Dead Pool in 1988) and I would suspect, if the rumor were true, Inspector Callahan would be chasing down the killer in present day. So why would the killer drive a 1972 car? This all seems a bit fishy to me.

Lastly, Eastwood's character, Callahan, is a widower, so how can have a grandson? Sadly, I think this is all the work of fiction, and Kurt is probably enjoying see this story take off like a bullet out of Callahan's .44.