0
0
When one mentions Man on Fire, the Denzel Washington led thriller from the late, great director Tony Scott always hits first. Little do people know that the film is based on author A.J. Quinnell’s series of books about an ex-spec ops warrior battling inner demons while taking on the physical ones at the same time. There was another adaptation back in the 80’s which starred Scott Glenn and while that one is lesser known, I have also loved it since I first saw it all those years ago and believe that it excels in its own right. There’s no denying that Denzel’s version is tier one cinema, but Glenn also brought the heat as well albeit not as on target as the well-known version.
Well, Netflix is delivering another adaptation of the book and the films and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is ready to tack up in the coveted role of John Creasy in a new series. The mammoth streaming service has issued its first look of the series star breaking into action and locked ‘n loaded. Scroll below for your first peek at Abdul-Mateen in go mode!
Man on Fire follows John Creasy, who was once a high-functioning and skilled Special Forces Mercenary known for surviving even the most desolate situations. However, John is now battling extreme PTSD and personal demons. As he attempts a fresh start, he’ll find himself back in the (metaphorical) fire and fighting harder than ever.
The new series will also star Billie Boullet (World-Breaker), Alice Braga (City of God), Scoot McNairy (True Detective) and Bobby Cannavale (The Watcher). Creed II director Steven Caple Jr. will helm the first two episodes of the season which will contain seven episodes. With Caple directing, this bodes well for what we will get in the finished product. Fear Street’s Kyle Killen serves as writer, executive producer, and showrunner with Caple Jr. also serving as executive producer alongside Abdul-Mateen.
According to Netflix’s official website TUDUM:
Abdul-Mateen will star in the thriller as John. Boullet will play Poe Rayburn, someone growing at a rapid and confusing pace — and she possesses the attitude that comes with it. Poe is unhappy about her parents’ decision to move to Brazil. So she spends her days with her wealthy international classmates until a tragic incident changes her perspective on family and life. As the sole witness to a terrifying event, Poe quickly learns that her only real ally is John.
Braga will play Valeria Melo, a professional driver with familial connections to a gang running a local favela. After Creasy hires Melo, she quickly becomes his right hand in protecting a young girl and pursuing terrorists.
Cannavale will guest star as Paul Rayburn, an ex–Special Forces soldier who has a unique ability to read people. Paul is charming, nurturing, and protective of those he cares for. Despite his warm, fatherly nature, his years of service in the field have given him an acute awareness of violence and human behavior. Quick-witted and incredibly intellectual — he’s likely to have all the answers. And if not, he’ll find them. McNairy will be a recurring guest star as Henry Tappan. Intelligent, calculating and manipulative, Tappan is a field agent for the CIA, currently covering Brazil.
Washington was essential gold in Scott’s noirish, visceral and brutal thriller and here’s hoping that Abdul-Mateen can do the source material justice as well. He certainly has the desired acting chops and physicality to bring it in both the dramatic and adrenaline departments. The action will undoubtedly be fierce and unflinching with savage and emotional human drama and if viewers can disassociate Washinton’s film with this series, it might just satisfy. Only time will tell.
There is no release date as of yet for Man on Fire, but it will drop sometime in 2026.
