The Man on Fire TV show has tapped Yahya Abdul-Mateen II to lead the cast of Netflix’s upcoming thriller series based on A.J. Quinnell’s novels Man on Fire (1981) and The Perfect Kill (1992).
In addition to starring, Abdul-Mateen will also executive produce the thriller series alongside Steven Caple Jr. (Transformers: Rise of the Beasts), who is set to direct Man on Fire’s first two episodes. The actor, best known for his portrayal of Doctor Manhattan in The Watchmen, has already starred in a number of big projects, including Black Mirror, The Trial of the Chicago 7, The Get Down, The Matrix Resurrections, Ambulance, the two Aquaman movies, and the 2021 sequel to Candyman.
Abdul-Mateen can next be seen as the title character of Wonder Man for Disney+’s upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe project. For Man on Fire, the actor is set to play Special Forces Mercenary Creesy, who — while on his journey to redemption — is fighting a personal battle of his own.
What is the Man on Fire TV show about?
This isn’t the first time Man on Fire has received an adaptation, with the Élie Chouraqui-directed movie of the same name — which saw Scott Glenn play Creasy — having graced cinemas back in 1987. In 2004, Denzel Washington starred as Creasy in the Tony Scott-directed action thriller. Abdul-Mateen will be the next to take on the Creasy role, this time for the small-screen adaptation.
The synopsis for Netflix’s TV adaptation (via Deadline) reads, “Once a high functioning and skilled Special Forces Mercenary, known for surviving even the most desolate of situations, Creasy (Mateen) is now plagued with intense PTSD. Determined to overcome his personal demons, he sets out on a path to redemption. But, before he can adjust to this new life, he finds himself back in the fire, fighting harder than ever.”
The upcoming series’ showrunner is Kyle Killen, who will also executive produce alongside Scott Pennington, Abdul-Mateen, Caple, Arnon Milchan, Yariv Milchan, Natalie Lehmann, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, Tracey Cook, Ed McDonnell, Michael Polaire, and Stacy Perski.
No release date has been set yet for Man on Fire.
