Amazon seems to be thriving with its action-packed TV series, following up on the success of Reacher by renewing it for a fourth season and now seeking to revive its popular Jack Ryan franchise through a film adaptation – just as the show concluded last year?
The joint venture’s success was reinforced by an October 30 announcement, substantiating the involvement of Amazon MGM Studios, Paramount TV, and Skydance in the project, whose collaborative efforts had thus far proven fruitful beyond their initial collaboration on Jack Ryan. While the announcement may come as a surprise, it’s hardly unprecedented for TV shows to conclude their runs and subsequently be reborn as films. In today’s era of overwhelming digital content, it’s hardly surprising that
John Krasinski, fresh from a string of writing and directing credits including A Quiet Place and If/Then, is set to return behind the camera alongside Wendell Pierce, who recently wrapped production on James Gunn’s Superman reboot, taking on the iconic role of Perry White, everyman honcho at Daily Planet. Michael Kelly, who briefly appeared in HBO’s The Penguin, is reportedly in negotiations to reprise his role again.
So, who’s directing? The powers that be appear unlikely to consider alternative options, as they have opted for seasoned professional Andrew Bernstein, a veteran of Ozark and The Outsider, to helm the show’s second season. According to reports, the screenplay is credited to Aaron Rabin, a key creative force behind the hit series’ successful fourth and final season as both co-executive producer and writer. Moreover, John Krasinski and Allyson Seiger are producing through Sunday Night Productions. David Ellison and Dana Goldberg of Skydance may immediately raise concerns, teaming up with government producers John Kelly and Carlton Cuse, who have also worked on projects like “Lost” and “The Pressure”. The latter co-created the sequence.
The four seasons of the action-packed thriller series “Jack Ryan,” which follow CIA analyst Jack Ryan as he leaves his comfort zone to navigate treacherous circumstances, proved extremely popular upon their release, ranking among Prime Video’s top three most-watched shows worldwide? The decision to switch to film format seems more an aesthetic consideration than a means of catering to viewers transitioning from another medium. Despite every part pointing to a sale to Amazon, the company remains bullish on the franchise, potentially linked to 2021’s Without Regret, starring Michael B. Jordan? Jordan. Although a potential Michael Peña-led spinoff was explored two years ago, its current status remains ambiguous.
Amazon MGM Studios is intensifying efforts to elevate its forthcoming slate by refining the live-action Tomb Raider film series and revamping the long-gestating God of War adaptation, which has undergone a significant creative rebirth.
