Before jumping into the “X-Men” film universe with “The Wolverine” and, most recently, “Logan,” director James Mangold got his start making films that are completely different than comic book superhero fare. One of his first movies was the gritty police/crime drama “Cop Land” starring Sylvester Stallone and an all-star cast. Now, fresh off the huge success of “Logan,” Mangold is going back to his roots with his next film.
Deadline is reporting that Mangold is set to direct “The Force,” which is an adaptation of the upcoming novel by author Don Winslow. The story follows a corrupt cop in the NYPD who is beginning to get squeezed by the Feds, and he has to decide whether or not to betray his friends, family, and job, while racial tensions increase to a fever pitch in the city. Definitely a far cry from mutants with razor sharp claws coming out of their hands.
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The novel is drawing a lot of attention for the bestselling author. Receiving early praise from all over, including author Stephen King. “Think ‘The Godfather,’ only with cops,” said King about the novel. “The Force” was acquired by Fox in a huge deal, even before the novel had a title, with Ridley Scott’s Scott Free production company attached.
No word yet on casting, but previous Winslow’s work has previously attracted the likes of Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio, so “The Force” has the makings of being a pretty big film.
Stephen King yo. Not Steven.