Twenty years after its release in theaters, the Sean Connery movieFinding Forresteris the next classic title to get a reboot. Deadline reports that NBC is working on a TV series adaptation of the 2000 movie, which starred Connery in one of his final acting roles. The project comes fromThe Chico-executive producers TJ Brady and Rasheed Newson, director Tim Story, and NBA player Stephen Curry through his Unaimous Media banner alongside Sony Pictures Television.
Written by Mike Rich anddirected by Gus Van Sant,Finding Forresterfollowed a black teenager named Jamal (Rob Brown) as he attends a private high school. Upon striking up a friendship with reclusive writer William Forrester (Connery), Jamal comes to discover his own passion for writing along with coming to terms with his identity. Along with Brown and Connery, the movie also starred Anna Paquin, F. Murray Abraham, Busta Rhymes, and Charles Bernstein. Given two thumbs up from Ebert and Roeper, the movie was a hit upon its release.
Brady and Newson are penning the TV series reboot with Story on board to direct. The small screen adaptation will include some big changes to howSean Connery’s mentor character is portrayed, which includes a gender swap. Per deadline, the series will examine “the cost of success and the price of redemption through the unique bond between two gifted black writers: A homeless 16-year-old orphan who leverages his basketball skills to hustle his way into an ultra-competitive elite boarding school, and the other a reclusive lesbian author whose career was ruined by a public scandal.”
After helming theShaftreboot and theRide Alongmovies, Story’s next big project is set to release in theaters in 2021. He directs theupcoming Tom & Jerry movie rebootwritten by Kevin Costello, bringing the classic animated cat and mouse into the real world. He is also in the process of developing a thirdRide Alongmovie. Meanwhile, Brady and Newson are also known for working on titles likeShooterandThe 100in addition to the acclaimed seriesThe Chi.
Word of theFinding Forresterreboot comes very soon after Connery passed away. Just last month,Sean Connery died at the age of 90 years old, leaving fans across the world in mourning. He had been retired for many years at the time of his death, with 2003’sThe League of Extraordinary Gentlemenserving as his final performance in a live-action movie. Coming out three years earlier,Finding Forresteris Connery’s penultimate live-action performance as the veteran actor was preparing for the end of his acting career.
Brady and Newson will also executive produce alongside Curry and Erick under Unanimous Media. Story and Shala Sumpter Bridgett for The Story Co. will also exec produce. TheFinding Forresterreboot comes as part of an overall movie and television deal Curry had signed with Sony Pictures Entertainment in 2018. It’s not yet clear when production will begin or when the series might premiere on NBC. Casting information has yet to be announced. This news was first reported by Deadline.
