Zac Efron to Star In and Produce Drama Series ANGEL HEART at HBO Based on 1978 Novel FALLEN ANGEL
Zac Efron is reteaming with A24 after The Iron Claw to star in and executive produce the series Angel Heart at HBO, with Black Rabbit creator Zach Baylin writing and executive producing. Jonathan van Tulleken, best known for his work on Shogun, is expected to direct several episodes as well as exec produce.
Based on William Hjortsberg’s 1978 novel Fallen Angel and the sequel Angel’s Inferno, the series will follow a down-and-out NYC paparazzo who makes his living finding and photographing people who don’t want to be found, who is hired by a mysterious man to find a missing woman.
But the deeper he digs to find her, the more it looks like a group of powerful elites, and maybe something supernatural, are covering up the disappearance.
This marks the second adaptation of the novel following the cult classic Angel Heart starring Mickey Rourke, Lisa Bonet and Robert De Niro.
The pic follows Rourke’s private investigator who is hired to solve the mysterious disappearance of a singer known as Johnny Favorite. His investigation takes him to New Orleans, where he becomes embroiled in a series of brutal murders.
When that film initially premiered, it was received with mixed reviews, an underwhelming box-office performance and plenty of controversy as it was initially given an X-rating for a graphic sex scene that eventually was cut down to get the R rating.
In the years to come the film has since grown a cult following and a new appreciation for its style and tone and felt like the perfect property to reinvent for the modern day audience.
The package was initially put together by Efron and A24 who then brought it to Baylin seeing him as a great fit after Black Rabbit. Van Tulleken would soon follow given his track record on directing cinematic TV series and the package then hit the market. It wasn’t long after hitting the streets before HBO jumped at the chance to partner with A24.
While we wait for this project to move forward, next up for Efron and the studio is the dark comedy Famous from director Jody Hill that also stars Phoebe Dynevor. Efron also has the Amazon MGM Studios comedy Judgement Day where he stars opposite Will Ferrell.
via: Deadline