Francis Ford Coppola‘s classic 1974 film The Conversation is getting a series remake from director J.C. Chandor. The filmmaker is behind films such as Margin Call, All Is Lost, A Violent Year, Tripple Frontier, and the upcoming Kraven the Hunter. He will write and direct the series.
The original film starred Gene Hackman, but the lead role in this series is said to be played by a woman. Aubrey Plaza is rumored for the role, but no casting has been finalized.
The Conversation is a psychological thriller that revolves around Harry Caul (Hackman), a highly skilled and secretive surveillance expert who specializes in recording private conversations for his clients. He is hired by a mysterious client, known only as “The Director,” to intercept and record a seemingly innocent conversation between a young couple, Mark and Ann, as they stroll through a crowded park.
As Harry meticulously listens to the recorded conversation and pieces together the fragments, he becomes increasingly paranoid and troubled by the ethical implications of his work. He suspects that the information he has gathered may put the lives of Mark and Ann in danger. Harry’s growing moral dilemma, combined with his own past traumas and isolation, lead him into a spiraling crisis of conscience.
Throughout the film, Harry tries to decipher the true meaning behind the conversation, and his obsession with uncovering the secrets hidden within it ultimately leads to a gripping climax.
Coppola’s American Zoetrope will produce the series and Erin Levy will serve as showrunner. She is known for her work on Mad Men and Mindhunter. MRC is the studio behind the series, and the company optioned the TV remake rights directly from the Coppola estate.
If you’ve never seen The Conversation, you’ve got to watch it! It’s a great film! It doesn’t really need a series adaptation, but I can see why they would want to do it. I just doubt it will be as good as that original film. The one good think that could come out of this remake series is that it will encourage people to watch the original film.
