Amblin Television has begun development on a television adaptation of Akira Kurosawa’s 1950 classic “Rashomon,” the company announced on Tuesday.
Described as a “dramatic mystery thriller series,” the project is planned as a 10-episode season using the film’s signature format, in which a singular event is told from multiple characters’ distinct and sometimes contradictory points of view.
Amblin Television co-presidents Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey will executive produce alongside Atmosphere’s Mark Canton and David Hopwood and Opus 7’s Leigh Ann Burton. No network is attached.
“We couldn’t be more excited to adapt this extraordinary film as the foundation for a new dramatic mystery thriller series,” Frank and Falvey said in a joint statement. “It will explore the boundaries of truth and how different perspectives don’t often reveal the same reality. We also couldn’t be happier to be in business with Mark, Leigh Ann, and David, who are great producers and partners.”
The project joins a number of other series in production at Amblin Television, including “The Haunting of Hill House” at Netflix, The CW’s upcoming “Roswell, New Mexico,” the “Amazing Stories” reboot at Apple, Hulu’s “Animaniacs” revival and the “Halo” series inspired by the popular video game at Showtime.
“We can’t wait to dig in with Justin and Darryl and everyone at Amblin as we adapt this iconic title for television. We feel this storytelling approach and the way it explores truth and reality is especially timely in today’s world,” Atmosphere’s Canton said in a statement.
“It has been an honor to work with the Kurosawa Estate, and to partner with Amblin Television and Mark Canton, to create a series inspired by ‘Rashomon,’ written by Akira Kurosawa. I can think of no better way to introduce today’s television audience to the legacy of this brilliant and esteemed filmmaker,” Burton said.