When you think of the brooding, unstoppable force that is John Creasy, it’s hard not to picture Denzel Washington’s iconic, explosive performance in the 2004 film Man on Fire. Now, a new protector is stepping up to the plate. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Watchmen, Candyman) is officially taking on the legendary role in Netflix’s upcoming TV adaptation, based on A.J. Quinnell’s Man on Fire and The Perfect Kill, the first two novels in Quinnell’s five-book series.
According to a newly released teaser trailer, the series introduces Abdul-Mateen’s Creasy as a man whose past is catching up to him. A voiceover details his history: “US Army Special Forces, three tours in Iraq and Afghanistan,” before adding an ominous caveat, “His history looks impressive, but his best days are far behind him.” However, after experiencing a devastating loss, Creasy is pulled out of retirement to strike back and prove that his best days are far from over.
Writer and showrunner Kyle Killen (Lone Star) couldn’t be more thrilled with his leading man, sharing that Abdul-Mateen has the exact range required for such a complex, dual-natured character.
“He can do everything,” Killen shared. “That’s what John Creasy needs. He can be incredibly powerful, and still communicates a lot without saying anything. He’s obviously incredible at action, but he’s also very adept at just revealing those little places where he lets you in.”
In the teaser, we see the tactical skills of Creasy as he engages in gunfights and fistfights, sets off explosive charges in a prison cell block, and even assembles a weapon while blindfolded. On the flip side, we also get a glimpse of his vulnerable moments as he consoles Poe, played by Billie Boullet, who serves as the sole witness to the tragic event at the center of the show’s investigation.
Ultimately, the heart of this new Man on Fire is the dynamic between Creasy and the person he is assigned to protect. Killen explains that while Creasy is perfectly comfortable navigating danger and violence, opening himself up to new friendships and family makes him incredibly vulnerable. He struggles to balance his drive for vengeance with Poe’s need for emotional connection, remaining reticent to actually be her friend rather than just a lethal bodyguard.
But as the teaser’s final moments prove, a lethal bodyguard might be exactly what she needs right now. Before throwing a devastating haymaker punch, Creasy delivers a chilling promise to his enemies: “Let me just be very clear: You’re not gonna survive this.”
Steven Caple Jr. (Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Creed II) will direct the first two episodes and serve as an executive producer. The cast also includes Bobby Cannavale, Alice Braga, Scoot McNairy, and Paul Ben-Victor.
Man on Fire officially hits Netflix on April 30.
