If three movies of Jason Statham driving around in a fast car delivering packages weren’t enough for you, get ready for the concept to hit the small screen.
Deadline reports that shooting will begin early next year on a “Transporter” TV series, and EuropaCorp chairman Pierre-Ange Le Pogam revealed the 12-episode, $48 million production is being made in conjunction with a “big” U.S. partner, but wouldn’t divulge that info. The move marks a small handful of television projects based off successful EuropaCorp franchise with “Nikita” recently being picked up for another season by CW and even a “Taken” series in the works. Yep, a “Taken” series.
That show, based on the surprise hit film where Liam Neeson played a dad out for revenge after his daughter is kidnapped by swarthy foreigners, won’t come until after “Taken 2.” Wait, “Taken 2”? Apparently that one — the idea of which was floated earlier in the year — is gearing up to shooting next year though a director is still being sought. No word yet on how they’ll spin the story for sequel and we hope it’s not a “Oh no! Not again!” scenario, but considering the first film had the barest of plots, we’re not expecting narrative genius here.
That’s not the only egregious sequel Neeson is set to cash a paycheck for as he’s also on board for “Wrath of the Titans,” set to be directed by Jonathan Liebesman. That film, a sequel to the critically reviled box office smash “Clash of the Titans,” is set to go in front of cameras next year. He’s also got the Joe Carnahan man versus nature thriller “The Grey” on his slate as well. So no word yet on just when all these projects are supposed to film.
There doesn’t seem to be any rhyme or reason as to how Neeson chooses his projects but we suppose that’s what happens when Steven Spielberg takes forever to make his passion project “Lincoln,” essentially forcing you out of the lead role (it is now set to star Daniel Day-Lewis).
