Netflix has handed out a straight-to-series, eight-episode order for “Man on Fire,” a TV adaptation of the book series that inspired Tony Scott’s iconic 2004 film starring Denzel Washington and the lesser-known 1987 Italian feature with Scott Glenn.
Kyle Killen (“Fear Street”) is on board as writer, executive producer and showrunner of the series, which will be based on the first two of the five-book run by A.J. Quinnell (aka Philip Nicholson). Killen previously was a showrunner of the “Halo” TV series but exited after the first season wrapped.
The story follows John Creasy, a broken ex-mercenary, on a mission to avenge the death of his only friend while protecting his fallen comrade’s daughter from the forces that destroyed her family.
New Regency Productions and Chernin Entertainment are producing with Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, Bill McGoldrick, Juan Alfonso, Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan and Michael Schaefer executive producing.
“Man on Fire” was first published in 1980, which led to four further books with the Creasy character in the mid-1990s. 1992’s second book, “The Perfect Kill”, is also being worked into the show’s narrative.
The well-received 2004 film grossed $130 million worldwide, doubling its $60 million budget.
Source: THR
