Javier Bardem to Star in ‘Cape Fear’ TV Adaptation

(Left) Javier Bardem stars as Hector P. Valenti in Columbia Pictures ‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile.’ (Right) 1991’s ‘Cape Fear’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

Preview:

Javier Bardem will star in and produce a new ‘Cape Fear’ series for Apple TV+
Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg are executive producers.
Nick Antosca is running the show.

Fun movie fact: back in the late 1980s, directors Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg were developing movies that would become memorable for them both. But here’s the twist… the movies were ‘Cape Fear’ and ‘Schindler’s List,’ and Spielberg was interested in the former, while Scorsese was figuring out the latter.

One quick switch later and 1991 brought us ‘Cape Fear,’ Scorsese’s take on the 1957 John D. MacDonald book ‘The Executioners.’ In 1993, Spielberg brought us ‘Schindler’s List’ to Oscar-winning effect.

Now, both filmmakers are involved with a new take on the former project, as Apple TV+ has flashed the greenlight for a series adaptation of the novel, with Javier Bardem aboard, according to Deadline.

“Sam Bowden has always provided for his family’s future. But the past is coming back to haunt them.”

R2 hr 8 minNov 15th, 1991

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What’s the story of ‘Cape Fear’?

(L to R) Robert De Niro and Nick Nolte in 1991’s ‘Cape Fear’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

MacDonald’s book has been adapted before –– a 1962 film, which also changed the name to ‘Cape Fear,’ and was directed by J. Lee Thompson from storyboards devised by original director Alfred Hitchcock.

That version starred Gregory Peck and Polly Bergen as a lawyer and his wife threatened by newly-released convict Max Cady (played by Robert Mitchum).

In Scorsese’s movie, Nick Nolte and Jessica Lange were the couple, while Robert De Niro (shocker!) was Cady.

For the TV series, described as “a tense, Hitchcockian thriller and an examination of America’s obsession with true crime in the 21st century,” a storm is coming for happily married attorneys Amanda and Steve Bowden when Max Cady (Bardem), a notorious killer from their past, gets out of prison.”

Anyone who has seen ‘No Country for Old Men’ or even ‘Skyfall’ knows that Bardem can play a memorable, dangerous villain.

Who else is working on the ‘Cape Fear’ TV series?

Martin Scorsese arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

The new show will be run by Nick Antosca, who credits include ‘The Act,’ ‘Antlers,’ ‘Candy,’ and most recently, overseeing the ‘Chucky’ small screen series.

Apple has been developing the show for a while, but even with Scorsese and Spielberg’s backing, the show hasn’t been official until Bardem signed on to play Cady.

And the actor will also be seen in next year’s big Apple movie, ‘F1’ alongside Brad Pitt. That film is scheduled to arrive on June 25th.