With the success of sequels, prequels, reboots, revivals, and remakes that seem to dominate film and TV in the 2010s, studios are looking at anything popular from their library that could possibly be spun into a new franchise. Even if the old project seems to be an open and shut story. Such is the case with Warner Bros. and “Training Day,” as the studio is dusting off the Oscar-winning 2001 cop thriller and developing it into a TV series.
According to Collider, WB has brought on writer Nick Yarborough to develop a new prequel series based on the 2001 Antoine Fuqua film “Training Day.” That film starred Denzel Washington as Alonzo Harris, a crooked, but effective, cop that takes a young Ethan Hawke under his wing and tries to show him the ropes. But it appears that WB is taking a different angle for the new series.
The report claims that the “Training Day” prequel will follow a younger Alonzo Harris, who is coming up as a police officer in 1992 (ten years prior to the events of the film). The show will kick off in Los Angeles two days before the infamous Rodney King verdict that would lead to riots and civil unrest in the city.
Even though this seems like a TV series that is built around the idea of casting John David Washington (Denzel’s son) in the lead, the report is quick to explain that the actor has zero involvement, as of now. But you have to imagine that WB is going to look at him first, right? It is too obvious.
READ MORE: Denzel Washington & Frances McDormand To Join Joel Coen’s ‘Macbeth’ Adaptation From A24
“Training Day” was directed by Fuqua and written by David Ayer. The film would go on to win an Oscar for Washington and land Hawke with a Best Supporting Actor nomination. “Training Day” shot Fuqua and Ayer into the upper echelon of Hollywood, with each landing major gigs subsequently.
Apparently, the series is still in the very early stages of development, so a network/platform is still to be determined.