The 2016 neo-western crime drama Hell or High Water is now being adapted for serial television courtesy of Fox Entertainment. Based on the critically-acclaimed movie from director David Mackenzie which starred Chris Pine and Ben Foster, Hell or High Water will make the leap from the silver screen to the small screen, with the series reportedly set to be a one-hour drama project with a script and additional material having been ordered at the broadcaster.
The series is now in development and will follow a similar path to its big-screen predecessor. A synopsis has since been released via Variety which reads: “When a ruthless oil tycoon attempts to plunder a West Texas ranching community, two local brothers dodge a zealous Texas Ranger and fight to keep what’s theirs, one bank robbery at a time, come hell or high water.”
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The adaptation of Hell or High Water as a series is being developed at Fox Entertainment, with Dopesick and Stranger Things’ Jessica Mecklenberg on board to write the script as well as executive produce the project. Hell or High Water has amassed a producing team that includes the likes of Sidney Kimmel, John Penotti, Charlie Corwin, Marcy Ross of SK Global, Gigi Pritzker, and Rachel Shane of Madison Wells, Julie Yorn, Carla Hacken, and David Mackenzie. Several of these names, such as Kimmel, Penotti, Pritzker, Shane, Yorn, Hacken, and Mackenzie were also involved in the original movie. SK Global will produce along with Fox Entertainment.
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Directed by David Mackenzie and written by Taylor Sheridan, the original Hell or High Water stars an all-star trio at its center, with Chris Pine and Ben Foster as the desperate, bank-robbing brothers Toby and Tanner Howard. Hot on their tail is Academy Award winner Jeff Bridges as the laid back and often hilarious Texas Ranger Marcus Hamilton, who is partnered with Yellowstone and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt star Gil Birmingham.
Hell or High Water finds Pine and Foster as Toby, a divorced father who’s trying to make a better life for his son, and Tanner, an ex-convict with a short temper and a loose trigger finger. Facing such desperate times against the backdrop of a desperate nation, the brothers decide to plan a series of simple heists against the bank that’s about to foreclose on their family ranch. While arguably justified in their actions, the brothers find themselves in the firing line of a Texas Ranger who’s only weeks away from retirement. Aren’t they all? As Toby and Tanner reach the end of the crime spree, they must prepare for a showdown with the law before riding off into the sunset.
Praised for its performances and Taylor Sheridan’s script, Hell or High Water was met with huge critical acclaim and currently sits at a certified fresh rating of 96% on Rotten Tomatoes. The movie even went on to be nominated for four nominations at that year’s Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor for Bridges, Best Original Screenplay and Best Film Editing.
Here’s hoping the upcoming television series can equal the same level of quality and success.
