After nearly three decades on the small screen, the hit reality seriesCOPSis now looking to jump to the big screen.ZombielanddirectorRuben Fleischeris attached to direct and produce a feature adaptation of the series, which is currently in the midst of its 29th season airing on Spike TV.John Langley, who co-created and holds the rights to the series, will serve as a producer.
Deadlinereports that the originalCopsconcept will be turned into an “edgy narrativefeature” with a buddy cop angle, which is said to be similar toLethal Weapon.Cameron Fay(Dance Camp) has come aboard to write the script, although no specific plot details were given at this time.Ruben Fleicherwill produce alongsideJohn LangleyandDavid Bernard.
The Boies/Schiller Film Group, which is comprised ofDavid BoiesandZach Schiller, will provide financing for this project, but no production schedule was released at this time. The financiers most recently funded the WesternJane Got a Gun, starringNatalie Portman.Cameron Faymost recently wrote the YouTube Red Originals featureDance Camp, and the upcomingBrother NaturestarringTaran Killam,Gillian JacobsandBill Pullman, which hits theaters September 9.
Copsfirst aired in the year 1989 on Fox, the same year asThe Simpsons, and while both shows are still going strong,Copsnow airs on Spike TV. The show became a cultural sensation throughout the 1990s, largely in part to its catchy theme song “Bad Boys” byInner Circle. The show moved from Fox to Spike TV in 2013, after 25 seasons on Fox, many of which would span upwards of 45 episodes a season, at the height of its popularity. Between its runs on Fox and Spike, the show has aired a whopping 969 episodes.
Ruben Fleischermost recently directedGangster Squadon the big screen and he’s currently preppingZombieland 2, which has been rumored to start filming in Atlanta later this month. He has also been keeping busy on the small screen, executive producing and directing several episodes of the hit NBC comedySuperstore. He directed the show’s special Olympics preview episode that aired this past Friday night on NBC. Stay tuned for more on thisCopsmovie as soon as more details come in.
