TRANSPORTER TV series gets the greenlight from Cinemax

Earlier we reported that a TV series was in the works based on the Transporter film franchise. Cinemax has finalized deals and is teaming with Luc Besson for 12 episodes of  the action drama, produced by French company Atlantique and executive produced by Besson. The cable channel has been making a big push as of late with original content. Last month they partnered with British satcaster Sky for a 10-part action series called Strike Back.

This series will center "on professional transporter Frank Martin, played in the movies by Jason Statham. Operating in a seedy underworld of dangerous criminals and desperate players, Martin can always be counted on to get the job done — discreetly. He has three rules: Never change the deal, no names and never open the package."

Transporter has secured broadcasters in France (M6) and Germany (RTL) and is slated to begin production this summer in Europe and Canada and will be presented at the upcoming MIPTV market. According to Luc Besson’s EuropaCorp., the budget for the series is $48 million. Atlantique's parent company Lagardere Entertainment is fully-financing the show, having licensed The Transporter from EuropaCorp. In addition to Besson, the series is being executive produced by Klaus Zimmermann and Fred Fuchs.

The Transporter films have been guilty pleasures for me and so a TV series sounds pretty cool. The budget is sizable so the show will at least look good. I wonder who will play Frank in the series. What are your thoughts on this news?  Who would you like to see in the role?