Cape Fear TV Series Remake: Scorsese, Spielberg, & Everything We Know

Summary Cape Fear, a thriller novel adaptation, is being remade as a TV series with Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg involved.

The series aims to modernize the story in a 21st-century context and is still in the early development stages.

Creator Nick Antosca has experience in crime and horror series, adding a unique spin to the classic tale of suspense.

The classic thriller Cape Fear is once again getting remade, but this time it is going to be on the small screen with Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg back on board. Cape Fear is an adaptation of John D. MacDonald's novel The Executioners, and tells the story of a recently-released criminal who exacts his revenge against the lawyer who originally defended him. The story was first adapted into a 1962 film starring Robert Mitchum and Gregory Peck but was also remade by Martin Scorsese in 1991.

Noted for its classic suspense and brilliant score, both versions of Cape Fear captured the imaginations of their respective generations and put a spin on MacDonald's original vision. Now, the underrated Scorsese movie is returning, but it is destined to be remade as a TV series that aims to modernize it in a distinctly 21st-century context. Though the project is still in the very early stages of development, initial information about the show has been more than exciting, and it seems as if audiences will once again be returning to the world of Cape Fear sooner rather than later.

Related Why Cape Fear Is Secretly Martin Scorsese's Best Horror Movie Martin Scorsese's stylish and bombastic remake of 1961's Cape Fear is disguised as a thriller but is secretly the director's best horror movie.

The Cape Fear TV Series Is Confirmed As In Development

A Third Attempt At The Classic Story

Little has been revealed about the project since it was announced in November 2023, and its status is currently unknown.

Though it is still in the very early stages, the Cape Fear TV show is officially confirmed to be in development. The series marks the first time that a Martin Scorsese vehicle has been adapted into a TV series, and the celebrated director is attached to the project as an executive producer. Its status as "in development" means that the show hasn't landed a network or streamer yet, and the story is likely still being crafted before it can fully take shape. Little has been revealed about the project since it was announced in November 2023, and its status is currently unknown.

Who Is Involved In The Cape Fear TV Series?

Martin Scorsese & Steven Spielberg Team Up Again

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Though the Cape Fear remake is still in the early stages, several big names have already been attached, which will likely help the show get off the ground. Martin Scorsese directed the original remake, and he returns as an executive producer alongside Steven Spielberg, who produced the 1991 film. The upcoming remake series was created by Nick Antosca who served as creator and showrunner for the horror anthology series Channel Zero. Antosca also produced and wrote several crime series, such as A Friend of the Family and The Act, and he is no stranger to frightening projects.

The Cape Fear TV Series Production Status

The Series Is Still In Pre-Production

Though the announcement was exciting, Cape Fear is still a long way from hitting the small screen and is still in the early stages of pre-production. The remake hasn't landed a network or streaming service yet, and it will likely be the subject of a massive bidding war as various entities vie for the rights. Antosca alone would be enough to spark interest in the show since he has been a consistent hitmaker, but having Scorsese and Spielberg attached will make Cape Fear a must-have for many networks.

The Cape Fear TV Series Story

A Modern Take On The Classic Tale Of Suspense

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Cape Fear Movie Or TV Show Where To Watch Cape Fear (1962) Rent or buy on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, and The Microsoft Store Cape Fear (1991) Stream on Starz Cape Fear (TBD) TV series currently in pre-production

Much in the same way the 1991 Cape Fear was different from the 1962 movie, the TV series will also put its own spin on John D. MacDonald's classic framework. The series is being pitched as a tense and modern thriller that will follow a dangerous murderer and two lawyer characters. This is already a bit of a change from the previous takes, and the newest version of Cape Fear will also be an examination of the modern obsession with true crime media. More details will likely emerge once the project begins to solidify.

Cape Fear Where to Watch *Availability in US stream

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buy Not available Not available Not available A remake of the 1962 movie of the same name, which itself was based on a John D. MacDonald novel, Cape Fear tells the story of a convicted rapist who is looking to get even with the lawyer who helped to put him away for 14 years. Many of the cast of the original movies make cameo appearances, including both Martin Balsam and Gregory Peck. Director Martin Scorsese Release Date November 15, 1991 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers Wesley Strick Cast Robert De Niro , Nick Nolte , Jessica Lange , Joe Don Baker , Robert Mitchum , gregory peck Runtime 128 minutes Budget $35 million Expand

Cape Fear TV Series Remake: Further News & Info 61-Year-Old Psychological Thriller To Get Second Remake, This Time On TV