Late on Friday afternoon,Collider reportedthatTaika WaititiandJude Lawwere teaming for a new Showtime series calledThe Auteur. The timing wasn’t ideal, not just because it was a Friday afternoon, but because it was Valentine’s Day, and the start of a long holiday weekend. Showtime wasn’t exactly happy with us, but if a story is true and newsworthy, it’s our duty to publish it. Of course, this means that, sometimes, we don’t have all the details, and with regards toThe Auteur, I had a feeling it was based on the graphic novel of the same name, but I wasn’t totally sure.
Well, now that Showtime has confirmed our original story and clarified thatThe Auteuris, in fact, based on the graphic novel byRick Spears,James CallahanandLuigi Anderson, we can finally delve into the juicy plot.
Per Showtime,The Auteuris a gonzo horror-comedy, a twisted romance, and a glamorous, high wire act of biting satire. Law will play a film producer who, desperate to make a great horror movie following a massive flop, accidentally traps his production on a backlot with a serial killer.
Waititi, who’s no stranger to horror-comedies thanks toWhat We Do in the Shadows, will direct the half-hour series as well as co-write the script withPeter Warren(Ghost Team). Showtime has ordered multiple scripts and will produce alongside Legendary, with Endeavor Content serving as the studio. Waititi, Law and Warren will executive produce with Spears and Callahan, as well asEric GitterandDan Halsted.
“The Auteurunites the wildly imaginative filmmaker Taika Waititi and the barbed wit of Peter Warren with the undeniable Jude Law in a bloody love letter to the movies that will make you simultaneously die laughing and want to run for your life,” saidAmy Israel, executive VP of scripted programming at Showtime.
Waititi is coming off an Oscar win for writingJojo Rabbit, and he recently wrapped his next filmNext Goal Wins, which starsMichael Fassbender. Later this year, Waititi will begin filming Marvel’sThor: Love and Thunder, and after that, it’s anyone’s guess what he’ll focus on, though a newStar Warsmovieis a strong possibility. As an actor, Waititi will soon be seen alongsideRyan Reynoldsin the action-comedyFree Guy, and he’s also set to appear inJames Gunn‘s DC movieThe Suicide Squad.
Law earned Oscar nominations for his supporting turn inThe Talented Mr. Ripleyand his lead role inCold Mountain, and he recently starred inCaptain MarvelandFantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald. He currently stars alongsideBlake LivelyinThe Rhythm Section, and he’ll soon be seen oppositeCarrie Coon‘s inSean Durkin‘s marital dramaThe Nest. Law is also expected to return for the third installments in theFantastic BeastsandSherlock Holmesfranchises. On the TV side, Law can currently be seen alongsideJohn Malkovichin HBO’sThe New Pope, and he’s also set to star oppositeNaomie Harrisin the network’s limited seriesThe Third Day.
