Adapting a feature-film into a television series isn't exactly a new phenomenon, but we've definitely been experiencing a lot more of it in the past few years. Movies like TRAINING DAY, THE EXORCIST, TAKEN, LETHAL WEAPON, and several more are all in various stages of production on the way to the small-screen, but the latest film to get adapted for television will be Anthony Minghella’s THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY based upon the Patricia Highsmith novel of the same name.
The plan to adapt THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY was announced last year, but now Variety is reporting that Neil Cross, creator of BBC's Luther, has been set to adapt the property; and it won't just be THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY which will be adapted, but all of Patricia Highsmith’s Ripley novels. The five novels, known as the Ripliad, include "The Talented Mr. Ripley", "Ripley Under Ground", "Ripley's Game", "The Boy Who Followed Ripley", and "Ripley Under Water". The character of Tom Ripley is a dapper psychopath who uses his wit and charm to con his way into pretty much anything or anyone, and he isn't above murdering the odd person to achieve what he desires. There have been several adaptations of the Ripley books over the years but the most famous is undoubtedly THE TALENTED MR. RIPLEY starring Matt Damon in the title role. If you haven't seen it, I would highly recommend it as it's a deliciously demented thriller which offers up some great acting from everyone involved, including the late great Philip Seymour Hoffman.
Given Neil Cross' involvement and the fact that they'll be able to draw from all of the novels, I'm already less apprehensive about this project than I thought I would be. It's way too early to draw any conclusions, but the potential for a great series is definitely there.