It was only a matter of time before Matthew McConaughey and Nic Pizzolatto teamed up again. But sorry, “True Detective” fans, Rust Cohle isn’t making a comeback. Instead, Deadline reports that the actor and writer will team up for a feature film based on the iconic “Mike Hammer” noir detective series. Skydance produces the project.
Mike Hammer isn’t as nihilistic as Rust Cohle, but he’s the one of the famous characters in hardboiled crime fiction. Hammer is also the inspiration behind other literary characters who have already made the jump to film and TV, like Dirty Harry, Jack Reacher, and James Bond. So, on paper anyway, Pizzolatto and McConaughey tackling the character is a match made in heaven. However, it’s unclear which Mike Hammer mystery Pizzolatto will adapt for the upcoming film. There’s 22 to choose from, so it could end up a surprise even to diehard Hammer fans.
Skydance got the ball rolling on the project after it acquired the rights to Mickey Spillane and Max Allan Collins‘ franchise. David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Don Granger produce via the banner with Entertainment 360‘s Guymon Casady, Benjamin Forkner via Pendleton, and Ken F. Levin. Executive producers include Collins, with Jane Spillane co-producing. Carin Sage oversees the film for Skydance.
Pizzolatto’s “Mike Hammer” film will be McConaughey’s third live-action movie since “The Gentlemen” in 2019. The other two, “The Rivals Of Amziah King” and “The Lost Bus,” get theatrical releases later this year. “Amziah King” had a buzzy world premiere at SXSW 2025 in March, while Paul Greengrass‘ Apple pic “The Lost Bus” just had a new teaser drop. All this to say: don’t be surprised if McConaughey is in the mix this awards season. The actor also has a reunion with his “True Detective” co-star Woody Harrelson upcoming: “Brothers,” which will premiere on Apple TV+.
As for Pizzolatto, he has several projects in development at Skydance, and a TV show in the works over at Netflix. He also recently helmed his first film as writer-director, “Easy’s Waltz.” But will a “True Detective” reunion ever come to fruition? There’s always talk that Pizzolatto and his two leading men will make one happen, but it’s unlikely to happen soon, especially with “Mike Hammer” taking precedence.
Stay tuned for news on who will direct McConaughey on this project; it’s safe to expect a big-time name.
