Yahya Abdul-Mateen II to Star in and Produce ‘Man on Fire’ Series Adaptation

‘Aquaman’s Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Starring in ‘Man on Fire’ Series

The show will adapt the first two books in A.J. Quinnell’s series, which was previously brought to screens as a movie with Denzel Washington in the lead.

(Left) Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta in Warner Bros. Pictures’ action adventure 'Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Courtesy Warner Bros Pictures/ ™ & © DC Comics. (Right) Denzel Washington in 'Man on Fire'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

Preview:

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is aboard to star in and produce a ‘Man on Fire’ series.
‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’ director Steven Caple Jr. is also aboard.
‘Fear Street’s Kyle Killen is head writer and producer on the show.

If you mention the title ‘Man on Fire’, chances are most people will think of the 2004 Tony Scott action thriller that represented one of his standout collaborations with Denzel Washington.

But did you know that A) the movie was based on a book and B) was previously adapted into a 1987 movie starring Scott Glenn?

And if Netflix has its way, we’ll also all be thinking of a new series adaptations of the novels, which has been in the works for a few months. Now ‘Aquaman’ and ‘Watchmen’ actor Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is aboard to star the series, via Deadline.

Man on Fire

"Creasy's art is death, and he is about to paint his masterpiece."

R2 hr 26 minApr 23rd, 2004

Watch Man on Fire Online

What’s the story of ‘Man on Fire’?

(L to R) Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning in 'Man on Fire'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

While the books have Creasy as an American former member of the French Foreign Legion, the Scott movie updated the basics to feature him as a hard-drinking, burnt-out ex-CIA operative who has given up on life until he’s hired as a bodyguard to protect 9-year-old Pita Ramos (Dakota Fanning). Bit by bit, Creasy (Washington) begins to reclaim some of his soul, but when Pita is kidnapped, Creasy’s fiery rage is finally released, and he will stop at nothing to save her as he sets out on a dangerous, revenge-fueled rescue mission.

There is plenty material to use for the series, since Quinnell (the pen name of author Philip Nicholson) wrote four more novels –– 1992’s ‘The Perfect Kill’, 1993’s ‘The Blue Ring’, 1994’s ‘Black Horn’ and 1996’s ‘Message from Hell’, which all feature Creasy.

Denzel Washington in 'Man on Fire'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

The Netflix show, which has an eight-episode, straight-to-series order, will adapt ‘Man on Fire’ and ‘The Perfect Kill’.

And it won’t directly adapt the 2004 film’s plot regardless, given that –– spoiler alert! –– Creasy dies from his injuries at the end (in the book, he fakes his death). He should enjoy (though given his dour mood, “enjoy” might be a stretch) a longer life if things go his way on Netflix.

Who is making ‘Man on Fire’ as a series?

Director Steven Caple Jr. on the set of 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.' Paramount Pictures and Skydance Present in association with Hasbro and New Republic Pictures, a di Bonaventura Pictures Production, a Tom Desanto /Don Murphy Production, a Bay Films Production.

Already aboard before Abdul-Mateen II was Kyle Killen, who worked on the successful horror trilogy ‘Fear Street’ for the streaming service.

Also now working on the show? Steven Caple Jr., who directed ‘Creed II’ and most recently made ‘Transformers: Rise of the Beasts’.

When will ‘Man on Fire’ be on Netflix?

Since the eight-episode drama has yet to start filming, there are no details on when the show might hit Netflix. It’ll need to track down the rest of the cast first, so our guess would be a 2025 release at the earliest.