Nicolas Winding Refn is Developing a Series Adaptation of MANIAC COP For HBO
Director Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive, Bronson, Valhalla Rising, The Neon Demon, Too Old To Die Young ) is set to develop a series adaptation of the cult film franchise Maniac Cop. The series is set to be produced by HBO and Refn will serve as showrunner and will direct the entire series with John Hyams (Universal Soldier: Regeneration, Universal Soldier: Day of Reckoning).
Set in Los Angeles, “Maniac Cop is said to be told through a kaleidoscope of characters, from cop to common criminal. A killer in uniform has uncaged mayhem upon the streets. Paranoia leads to social disorder as a city wrestles with the mystery of the exterminator in blue. Is he mere mortal, or a supernatural force?”
It sounds like the kind of project that will fit with Refn’s style. In a statement he talked about what they are looking to explore:
“I’ve always been a devoted admirer of John Hyams. We’ve been talking about a re-imagining of the ‘Maniac Cop’ films for a number of years, but as we continued to work on the material, we found ourselves wanting to explore the world we were creating in greater depth. Turning ‘Maniac Cop’ into a series will allow us to realize our wildest ambitions and to reach an enormous audience though partners HBO and Canal Plus. This show will be an unadulterated, action-packed horror odyssey. Given the current state of the world, though, ‘Maniac Cop’ will also be a strong commentary on the decline of civilization.”
It’ll be interesting to see what Refn and Hyams end up doing with this property as they adapt it into a series, but I’m looking forward to it!
Source: Variety