Whether it’s a prequel series to “Taken,” Starz’s TV take on Steven Soderbergh’s “The Girlfriend Experience,” HBO’s ever-promised “Westworld” TV remake or FX’s excellent on-going “Fargo” anthology series, to simply name a select few, TV is unquestionably where it’s at right now for Hollywood, with executives dusting off whatever properties they can find hoping they’ll find a second life on the smaller screen. (A subject we discussed in depth just a couple of weeks ago).
So maybe it shouldn’t be too surprising to see the same thing happening over in the Lucky Country with Stan’s upcoming six-part “Wolf Creek” series. Based on the cult 2005 Australian horror film of the same name, the first unflinching, suspense-driven trailer is now making its rounds across the web.
Where Greg McLean’s original film focused on three backpackers (Nathan Phillips, Cassandra Magrath, Kestie Morassi) who befriend sadistic psychopath Mick Taylor (John Jarratt) and suffered the consequences, this new series will follow an American tourist family who get unfortunately get taken by Mick’s ways (with Jarratt once again reprising his killer role). But 19-year-old Eve (Lucy Fry) escapes the massacre, and this “Wolf Creek” will follow her as she plots her revenge. It’s clear this televised version is putting some girl power into the mix, but we’ll have to see if that works alongside the grim premise.
McLean is heavily involved, serving as the creator, executive producer and co-director on the outing. "Wolf Creek" debuts Down Under on May 12th on streaming service Stan. No word yet on when or if it’ll land stateside. [IF]