Back in 2014, well before the streaming services and studios got into an arms race to see which platform could have the biggest stars and the best original content, producer Jerry Bruckheimer had the idea to make a new drama series based on the 1980 film, “American Gigolo.” And while the series didn’t seem to find its footing at the time, it appears that Showtime is ready to finally move forward.
According to Deadline, Showtime has ordered a pilot episode for a new series based on the film “American Gigolo,” with actor Jon Bernthal attached to star. And “Ray Donovan” fans take note—this new series hails from writer-director David Hollander, the creative mastermind behind Showtime’s recently-canceled drama series.
Written and directed by the legendary Paul Schrader, 1980’s “American Gigolo” stars Richard Gere as Julian Kaye, the title character. As a prominent male escort, Julian finds himself servicing the needs of some high-profile ladies in Los Angeles. Of course, things go a bit awry and the young gigolo then becomes ensnared in a criminal plot. The new series actually builds from the story in the film and finds Julian Kay (now played by Bernthal) being released from prison 18 years later, in modern-day LA, where he attempts to join the sex worker industry again, while also discover the truth about what landed him in prison in the first place.
“‘American Gigolo comes’ with all the sizzle you’d expect, but it also offers a deep dive into the complicated waters of relationships and sexuality in 2020,” said Gary Levine, President of Entertainment, Showtime Networks. “We’ve assembled an ‘A’ team to adapt this iconic movie into a Showtime series with the talent and magnetism of Jon Bernthal, the exquisite filmmaking and showrunning of David Hollander, the legendary Jerry Bruckheimer and our new sister studio, Paramount.”
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Obviously, it’s still way too early for a release date on the “American “Gigolo” series, as the pilot episode hasn’t even begun production. However, considering how these things work, if the pilot gets picked up for series, it’s likely to hit Showtime sometime in 2021.
You can watch the trailer for the original film below: