Robert Rodriguez to direct first episodes of the From Dusk Till Dawn TV series

As a big fan of Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino‘s FROM DUSK TILL DAWN, I was incredibly disappointed in the direct to DVD sequels that followed it. Now, seventeen years later, Rodriguez himself is returning to direct the brand new FROM DUSK TILL DAWN television series on the El Rey Network. Rodriguez will helm the first two episodes of the reboot series that just started production and will air in the beginning of 2014.

We now have a plot description for the series along with the cast that will include the same characters portrayed by Tarantino and George Clooney in the original flick.

FROM DUSK TILL DAWN: THE SERIES is a supernatural crime saga centered around bank robber, Seth Gecko (Cotrona) and his violent, unpredictable brother, Richard “Richie” Gecko (Holtz), who are wanted by the FBI and Texas Rangers Earl McGraw (Johnson) and Freddie Gonzalez (Garcia) after a bank heist left several people dead. While on an escape route to Mexico, Seth and Richie encounter former minister Jacob Fuller and his family who they take hostage. Using the family RV to make a run for the Mexican border, chaos ensues when the group detours to a strip club that is unknowingly populated by vampires, and forces them to fight until dawn in order to get out alive. The series deepens the tone of the film, adds new characters and backstories and expands the Mesoamerican mythology behind the vampires.

The cast includes D.J. Cotrona (G.I. JOE: RETALIATION) as Seth Gecko, previously played by George Clooney. Zane Holtz (THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER) as Richie Gecko, and Jesse Garcia (SONS OF ANARCHY) as the new character Texas Ranger Freddie Gonzalez. The biggest star in the project is Rodriguez/Tarantino alum Don Johnson taking over Michael Parks‘ role of Sheriff Earl McGraw. No mention on whether Juliette Lewis, Harvey Keitel, Salma Hayek, Cheech Marin, or Danny Trejo‘s characters will appear in the series or whether the Titty Twister bar will be a locale in the story for more than the pilot.

Robert Rodriguez had this to say about the series:

“If the movie’s the short story, the series is the novel.” He added: “We have assembled an amazing cast and crew, and viewers can expect to be part of a wild ride when the series premieres on El Rey Network next spring.”

Correct me if I am wrong, but weren’t the shitty second and third films there to expand the story in the same manner? I hope that with Rodriguez directly involved that this series will take off in a positive direction. I look forward to seeing it when it hits the airwaves next year.