EVERYTHING
According to Deadline, Netflix is moving forward with plans to transform its successful acquisition, Hit Man, into a long-form television series. The project marks another instance of the streaming giant expanding high-performing film titles into recurring episodic content for its global audience.
Production Team and Creative Leadership
The production will see heavy involvement from the original film's primary creative forces. Glen Powell and Richard Linklater are set to serve as executive producers on the new series. The project is being written by Stephen Falk, the acclaimed creator of You’re the Worst, and produced by AGC Television in partnership with BarnStorm Productions.
The extensive production lineup includes several key figures:
- Executive Producers: Glen Powell, Richard Linklater, Stephen Falk, Dan Cohen, Stuart Ford, Miguel A. Palos Jr., and Lourdes Diaz.
- Co-executive Producers: Steve Barnett, Alan Powell, Vicky Patel, Shivani Rawat, and Julie Goldstein.
Premise and Cinematic Success
While the streamer has kept specific narrative details under wraps, the series is expected to mirror the core premise of the 2024 movie. The story follows a college professor who operates as a police contractor, utilizing complex disguises and various personas to impersonate a hitman for the purpose of exposing individuals seeking to commit murder. Industry observers have noted that this identity-shifting mechanic bears similarities to the spy drama Alias.
The original film achieved significant commercial and critical success following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival. Netflix acquired the rights in a $20 million deal covering several major territories, including the United States and the United Kingdom. Following its June 2024 release on the platform, the movie earned strong reviews and garnered prestigious accolades, including a Golden Globe nomination for Powell and a WGA Award nomination for both Powell and Linklater.
Netflix Expansion Strategy
This move aligns with Netflix's broader strategy of building franchises from acquired properties. The streamer has successfully utilized this model with the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy, which spawned the series XO, Kitty, and is currently developing a television offshoot for the Extraction franchise. By leveraging the established popularity of Hit Man, Netflix aims to capitalize on the existing fan base while providing a deeper exploration of its unique comedic-thriller world.