Legendary Hong Kong-based filmmaker John Woo is finally set to make an English-language adaptation of his classic 1989 action movie, The Killer. After over a decade of discussions, he will direct a reimagining of the thriller for Peacock in collaboration with Universal Pictures, Indie Wire is reporting.
The Killer follows an experienced assassin who takes on one last job, during which he accidentally blinds a nightclub singer. In order to pay for an operation to fix her sight, the titular killer for hire agrees to assassinate a high-ranking triad boss, just as the police are tracking him down.
Chow Yun-fat, Sally Yeh and Danny Lee starred in the original drama. There hasn’t been any word yet on who will appear in the Peacock production, which is scheduled to premiere on the streaming service next year.
It’s unclear if the upcoming remake is related to the project of the same name that was announced in 2018. That film was also going to be helmed by Woo, who was going to switch the genders of the eponymous lead role. Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o signed on to the movie at the time.
The upcoming version of The Killer will mark Woo’s first American production since the 2003 sci-fi action movie, Paycheck, which stars Ben Affleck and Uma Thurman. It was previously announced that the filmmaker was also working on the no dialogue action feature, Silent Night, but that project doesn’t currently have a release date.
Additional Peacock Original features that are also set to premiere next year as part of its collaboration with Universal Pictures include Shooting Stars, LeBron James’ first project under his NBCUniversal production deal alongside Maverick Carter’s SpringHill Company. The movie will follow the famed NBA star’s origin story as a high school basketball player, and is currently being filmed in his hometown of Akron, Ohio.
Girls Trip producer Will Packer is currently producing the dramedy Praise This. The film focuses on a community church choir that moves in a hipper musical direction after a new singer, who will be played by Chloe Bailey, joins with ties to an irreverent hip-hop star.
Kelly Campbell, President, Peacock and Direct-to-Consumer and International, NBCUniversal, said in a press statement, “We know people join Peacock to watch movies, so we are constantly adding more to serve fans. Together with the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, we are excited to deliver fresh, exclusive, original films next year to our customers in addition to the legendary Universal Pictures blockbuster films and beloved franchises streaming now.”
The announcement about The Killer‘s release comes after the Peacock-Universal rom-com, Marry Me, which stars Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson, opened to massive success in February. The movie became the most-streamed day-and-date title on the streaming service.