Recently, I find myself silently asking, “Do we really need another remake or reboot?” Just yesterday, it was announced that the creative team behind Fantastic Four: First Steps will be taking on Planet of the Apes, likely as a reboot. Hmm, ok?
All this to say, do we need a new version of Cape Fear, especially when the original film and the Martin Scorsese remake are both so highly regarded? The new Apple TV show may give us more of Max Cady in the guise of Javier Bardem, but do we need to dive any further into the mind of that lunatic?
Judging by the trailer, which also features Amy Adams and Patrick Wilson, I’d say that yes, yes, we do. It’s clear here that the show is going to be something different from what we’ve already seen, and I’m up for it.
Here’s the log line: Inspired by the 1991 remake directed by Martin Scorsese and produced by Steven Spielberg, a storm is coming for happily married attorneys Anna (Amy Adams) and Tom Bowden (Patrick Wilson) when Max Cady (Javier Bardem), the notorious killer they are responsible for putting behind bars, is let out of prison — and he wants vengeance.
Hailing from UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, and Amblin Television, “Cape Fear” is based on both the novel “The Executioners,” which inspired Gregory Peck’s Universal Pictures feature (1962) of the same name, as well as the acclaimed 1991 remake directed by Scorsese. The series is executive produced by Steven Spielberg, who produced the 1991 film, alongside Scorsese. Creator Nick Antosca showruns and produces alongside Alex Hedlund for Eat The Cat, and Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey produce alongside Spielberg for Amblin Television. Academy Award nominee Morten Tyldum will direct the pilot and serve as executive producer. The series is developed and produced through Antosca’s overall deal at UCP, where he’s been based since 2017.
Cape Fear premieres June 5 on Apple TV.