Robert Downey Jr. & 'True Dectective' Creator Nic Pizzolatto Bringing 'Perry Mason' To HBO

Half a decade ago, with Robert Downey Jr.‘s resurrected career running at full steam, with the actor banking two movies each in the “Iron Man” and “Sherlock Holmes” franchises, he attached his name to a brewing “Perry Mason” reboot at Warner Bros., with the idea of turning it into a feature film vehicle. As you’ve probably surmised, not much has really happened since, but it looks like the legal property is back on the table, and could see RDJ make the transition to the small screen.

Variety reports that Downey Jr. and Nic Pizzolatto are now refashioning “Perry Mason” as a TV series for HBO, with the “True Detective” creator to pen the project, and RDJ to star. And frankly, it seems like a smart move. Given that blockbusters these days require a certain amount of explosions, “Perry Mason” seems better suited to TV, and for many, that’s where the character is most familiar to begin with. But certainly, having it housed at HBO will allow for a grittier adaptation than your grandma remembers.

As for the setting, it hasn’t been confirmed, but back when this was kicking around as a movie, the idea was to keep the spirit of the books by Erle Stanley Gardner with the story set in 1930s Los Angeles and familiar characters like Mason’s secretary Della Street, private investigator Paul Drake, and legal nemesis Hamilton Burger, all set to drop by. And I do hope they retain the period backdrop, as it would provide some truly interesting storytelling opportunities.

In case you’re wondering about “True Detective” season three, HBO has said they want to continue it, but are still figuring out what the next incarnation will be. However, it will only involve Pizzolatto in a producing capacity, so it looks like his full attention at the moment is on “Perry Mason.”