New “Man on Fire” Reboot hits Netflix, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II Takes on the Mantle of John Creasy
Remember Denzel Washington’s unforgettable performance in the 2004 blockbuster “Man on Fire”? Over twenty years later, Netflix has opted to re-introduce the story of ex-CIA operative John Creasy for the streaming screen, with a seven-episode series that landed on the platform late last week.
Based on the 1980 novel of the same name by A.J. Quinnell, this marks the third “Man on Fire” adaptation and stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (known for “Aquaman,” “The Trial of the Chicago 7,” and “Black Mirror,” to name a few).
The first “Man on Fire” adaptation that came out in 1987, starring Scott Glenn, was a French/Italian co-production and was met with mixed critical and commercial reception. The 1987 version wasn’t bad, but it was instantly overshadowed by the 2004 version, and even though it also arrived at the box offices to a mixed critical response, it has become a cult-classic through the years and is one of Denzel Washington’s most iconic action roles.
A Story With Decades Of Screen History
The latest “Man on Fire” adaptation takes things in a slightly different direction than that of its predecessors, drawing on plot elements from the original 1980 novel as well as its sequel, “The Perfect Kill,” and following the books more closely than the first two movies did.
That being said, the Netflix version still has many of the same hyper-action elements as its successors, and it hones in on Creasy’s struggles with severe PTSD with an authentic and sympathetic treatment.
Yahya Abdul Mateen II’s take on John Creasy is complex and unabashedly down-to-earth, and, despite admitting to being a “huge fan” of both Denzel and the 2004 “Man of Fire,” he approaches the role with a sense of novelty and originality.
Will Man on Fire Return For Season Two?
Netflix has yet to officially confirm whether or not there will be a second season of the “Man on Fire” reboot, and it’ll largely hinge on viewership numbers and audience reception over the next couple of weeks.
Abdul-Mateen II also seems open-minded about returning to the role of John Creasy, saying, in an interview with ScreenRant, that he “could be Creasy for a long time,” but also admitting that there needs to be “a good reason to do it,” keeping in mind the fact that if there isn’t enough demand for a second season, then it won’t come – but the series has remained at the top of Netflix’s charts since its release, so it seems like the demand is already there.
The show also ends with a cliffhanger, so the door is certainly open for further potential seasons if the powers that be allow it.
