Early last year, we learned that Netflix had ordered up a series based on the Denzel Washington/Dakota Fanning thriller Man on Fire. And ever since, the big question was who would step into Denzel’s considerable shoes? Now we know thanks to Deadline that it’ll be Aquaman and Watchmen star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.
Abdul-Mateen becomes the first official casting on the Man on Fire TV series, which is based on the first two books in author A.J. Quinnell’s series. Man on Fire was adapted into the 2004 Denzel Washington film, and also a 1987 movie starring Scott Glenn and Joe Pesci. The story centers on an ex-CIA badass with PTSD who comes out of retirement to protect a precocious 12-year-old girl.
As for who will direct, there’s news on that, too. Steven Caple Jr. will direct the first two of the eight-episode series. Caple is known for his work on Creed II, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, and drama The Land which more people need to see.
Kyle Killen (Fear Street) will write the series and exec-produce. Abdul-Mateen will exec-produce, as well. The actor will be seen next in Marvel’s Wonder Man series for Disney+.
No word on when we’ll see Man on Fire but it’s picking up steam quickly.
