Time for a helping of Vincent D’Onofrio and CHiPS; Vincent cast as villain

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

I know your secret. I know that despite all the high profile geek films set to be released this year and the great news that will accompany them, all you really want…is news about CHiPS. It's okay, I won't tell anyone. Last year we learned that Dax Shephard would write, direct, and star in a film adaptation of the classic NBC series CHiPS, and there was much rejoicing.

Today THR reported that Vincent D'Onofrio is in negotiations to join the cast of CHiPS in the role of a former cop who has turned to the opposite side of the law and now runs an underground syndicate of car thieves. CHiPS, which aired between 1977 and 1983, focused on two police officers who patrolled the California highways on motorcycles. Dax Shepard is set to play Officer Jon Baker with Michael Pena on board to play his partner, Frank “Ponch” Poncherello.

While at first glance it seemed likely that CHiPS would follow in the comedy footsteps of STARSKY AND HUTCH and THE DUKES OF HAZZARD, apparently CHiPS is said to be more along the lines of buddy-cop films like BAD BOYS and LETHAL WEAPON rather than a straight up comedy. As I've never seen an episode of CHiPS I can't say I'm all that interested in the project, but I'm always down for some D'Onofrio. The actor will next be seen in JURASSIC WORLD as well as THE MAGNIFICENT SEVEN.