Before long, ever movie will become a TV show in the future. It’s certainly not a new idea, as many movies have gotten theTV adaptationtreatment. But over the past year, each network has ramped up this idea, abandoning new ideas to instead focus on series that already have a built in audience and title recognition. The latest movie series to head to the small screen isRed, which debuted in 2010 and was followed by a sequel in2013. NBC is behind this new iteration, though it’s not known if Summit Entertainment has now abandoned the idea of another big screen sequel.
NBC is developing theRedTV series as an hourlong action drama that will be directly based on the feature film franchise. The small screen version is coming from the big screen series' creative team. Jon Hoeber and Erich Hoeber, the duo behind both theRedandRed 2screenplay, will team with original producersLorenzo di Bonaventuraand Mark Vahradian. Lionsgate TV will produce Red throughDi Bonaventura PicturesTelevision.
BothRedandRed 2were based on the limitedcomic book seriesof the same name. Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner created the title together, with DC Comics imprint Homage publishing the books. The original movie starredBruce Willis,Mary-Louise Parker,Morgan Freeman,John MalkovichandHelen Mirren. The sequel then brought inAnthony Hopkins,Byung-hun LeeandCatherine Zeta-Jones. An action comedy franchise, the story follows a group of REDS, which stands for Retired Extremely Dangerous operatives. They must return to action as the CIA sends in assassins to dispatch them.
The Hoeber brothers will write thepilot episode. This TV version ofRedwill stay within the lines of the original plot, with the core concept remaining firmly intact. The action, though, will take place in a more realistic world according toDeadline. The drama will be more authentic and grounded. The episodes will focus on the dark and hilarious struggles these retired assassins face on a daily basis. They must succumb to civilian life in order to survive while simultaneously fighting for and against the organization that exiled them.
Jon Hoeber, Erich Hoeber, di Bonaventura and Vahradian will all executive produceRed. The original movie arrived as a sleeper hit in 2010. It grossed $200 million worldwide. Though it didn’t deviate too far from the path,Red 2wasn’t as popular. It only pulled in $148 million worldwide. Perhaps that’s why Summit and Lionsgate feel it will work better as a TV series. What do you think? Will you be watching?
