Director William Friedkin is adapting his 1985 action thriller To Live and Die in LA for the small screen, in a deal struck with WGN America.
Deadline broke the news earlier today, saying Friedkin will direct as well as executive produce the project for WGN America, which seems to be throwing its hat into the ring of original (or semi-original) programming with authority.
The TV series will be based on the same source material as the stylish hyper-noir thriller starring William Petersen and Willem Dafoe, that being a novel by former Secret Service Agent Gerald Petievich. To Live And Die In LA captured the essence and energy of the 80s, yet remains a tense action picture with essential elements that keep it readily accessible. It also helped launch the careers of Dafoe and Petersen.
Friedkin will be teaming up with screenwriter Bobby Moresco, who won an Oscar for Crash, to pen the series.
Just in case you forgot, here’s the trailer for the original To Live And Die in LA. Bask in its 80s glory:
