While many have tried, in the two years sinceTrue DetectiveSeason 1 first aired, no one has been able to accomplish the feat of a single writer and a single directing collaborating on a TV series to near-perfect results. That director,Cary Fukunaga, quickly became an in demand name, and while he quickly moved onto the moving child soldier dramaBeasts of No Nation, he’s since been busy developing a number of projects. Now, word comes that what was intended to be his return to TV territory is no longer happening.
Fukunaga signed on to direct and executive produce the eight-part TNT seriesThe Alienistback in 2015, but now Deadline reports that due to delays, Fukunaga has dropped the “directing” part and will simply remain involved as an executive producer. Set in the late 1800s, the promising psychological thriller series revolves around the hunt for a serial killer by Teddy Roosevelt.Black MirroralumJakob Verbruggenhas now stepped in to take over the director’s chair, as he’s set to helm the first two episodes and possibly more.
Deadline notes that Fukunaga and Paramount TV went back and forth for nearly a year onThe Alienist, as budget constraints led to the location being moved from Canada to New York to eventually Budapest. Now, with everyone finally in agreement, Fukunaga’s other commitments have been pushed back far enough, and he’s opted instead to move on to something else whileThe Alienistmoves into production.
So what is Fukunaga turning his attention to? Deadline says he’ll next direct the feature filmThe Black Count, which he first became attached toin April 2014. Based on theTom Reissnovel of the same name,The Black Counttells the true story ofThe Count of Monte CristoauthorAlexandre Dumas, the son of a black slave who rose to command armies at the height of the French revolution, going so far as to rub elbows with Napoleon himself.
Of course before Fukunaga signed on toThe Alienist, he was originally supposed to be directing a two-part feature adaptation ofStephen King’sIt. Unfortunately, New Line wanted more of a traditional horror film while Fukunaga’s script called for a more nuanced coming-of-age horror story, andhe subsequently departed the project. It’s now in production withMamahelmerAndres Muschietti.
Fukunaga is also attached to executive produce and direct the Netflix comedy seriesManiacstarringEmma StoneandJonah Hillandmay or may not be helmingStanley Kubrick’sNapoleonminiseriesfor HBO, but it sounds like he’ll first be turning his attention toThe Black Count, so we’ve got a ways to wait beforeManiacsees the light of day. No matter, news of new Fukunaga whatever it may be is good news indeed. Here’s hopingThe Black Countgets moving sooner rather than later.
