AMC announced today that
acclaimed film actors Jim Caviezel (The
Passion of the Christ, The
Thin Red Line) and Ian McKellen (Lord
of the Rings, The
Da Vinci Code) have signed on for the network's
reinterpretation of the highly influential 1960s cult classic, The Prisoner.
AMC is co-producing the six-part mini-series with ITV Productions and Granada
International, with a worldwide premiere slated for 2009. The Prisoner,
AMC's second original mini-series, combines a wide range of genres, including
espionage, thriller and scifi, into a unique and compelling drama, and expands
upon the network's distinctive cinematic approach to creating high-quality
programming.
Caviezel will play the title
role of "Number Six," a part that was originally made famous when
played by Patrick McGoohan. McGoohan also served as the creator, producer,
writer and director of the 1960s series, which has become widely regarded as
one of the most famous and intriguing cult TV series ever created, permanently
altering the scope of the fantasy genre. Two-time Oscar nominee Ian McKellen
will co-star playing the role of "Number Two."
(Check back on AMCtv.com in the coming weeks for further news
about The Prisoner, and sign up for the newsletter to get
updates on AMC programming and originals, like The Prisoner, Mad Menand Breaking
Bad.)
"Jim
Caviezel and Ian McKellen bring an incredible level of talent to the project,
and we're honored they are taking on these important roles. We look forward to
this production revitalizing a classic and bringing Patrick McGoohan's
brilliant and captivating story to an entirely new generation of viewers,"
stated Charlie Collier, AMC's general manager and executive vice president.
"The caliber of Hollywood talent AMC is
attracting further validates our programming vision and our successful strategy
of producing quality cinematic originals that stand alongside our library of
iconic movies."
"For those of us who
were watching grown-up TV in the 60s, The Prisoner was dangerous,
exciting and challenging TV. For those of us who were too young to stay up to
watch the series, it casts a long shadow. You don't embark on something this
iconic without the best team around to do it justice for a whole new era. With
Bill Gallagher as writer, Trevor Hopkins as Producer, Michele Buck, Damien
Timmer and Rebecca Keane as the UK Execs, AMC as production partners, ITV as UK
Commissioners, and Jim Caviezel and Ian McKellen leading the cast, we have that
team on board. I can't wait," said John Whiston, Director of ITV
Productions.
"Bill Gallagher's new
version of The Prisoner is an enthralling commentary on modern culture.
It is witty, intelligent and disturbing. I am very excited to be
involved," said Ian McKellan.
While the original series,
which debuted in 1967, was a riff on Cold War politics, AMC's reinterpretation
will reflect 21st Century concerns and anxieties, such as liberty, security,
and surveillance, yet also showcase the same key elements of paranoia, tense
action and socio-political commentary seen in McGoohan's enigmatic original.
"The Prisoner spawned
an enormous group of zealous fans who thrived on each week's psychological
twists and turns. AMC's version brings The Prisoner back to primetime, and
we're tempted to discuss more details, but in the spirit of the series, what
you DO know, may hurt you," said Christina Wayne, SVP of scripted original
programming.
Jim Caviezel first received
critical recognition for his role as idealist Private Witt in The Thin Red
Line. The following year, he gained further recognition with roles in Ride with
the Devil and Frequency. His roles as Jennifer Lopez's love interest in Angel
Eyes followed by his work in The Count of Monte Cristo helped to establish him
as a versatile actor and leading man. Caviezel was then chosen by Mel Gibson to
star as Jesus Christ in the film The Passion of the Christ. The film went on to
become one of the highest grossing movies of all-time and made Jim a
household-name. Most recently Caviezel played against type when he co-starred
opposite Denzel Washington in the thriller Déjà vu.
Ian McKellen is one of the
world's foremost stage and screen actors and has been honoured with more than
40 International awards. Most recently, he received critical acclaim and an
Oscar nomination for his portrayal of "Gandalf" in Peter Jackson's
Lord of the Rings trilogy. McKellen's work has spanned genres from
Shakespearean and modern theatre to fantasy and sci-fi, with other major film
credits including Gods and Monsters, X-Men, Richard III and The Da Vinci Code.
The Prisoner mini-series is
a co-production of AMC and ITV Productions; the deal was brokered by Granada
International, which holds international distribution rights. Bill Gallagher
(Conviction, Clocking Off, Lark Rise To Candleford) serves as writer and
executive producer, along with Michele Buck, Damien Timmer, Rebecca Keane, and
AMC's Charlie Collier, Christina Wayne and Vlad Wolynetz. It is produced by
Trevor Hopkins (Dracula, Poirot), and directed by Jon Jones (Northanger Abbey,
Cold Feet). Jim Caviezel's deal was coordinated by ICM. Creative Artists Agency
orchestrated the deal on behalf of Ian McKellen.
