SWAT: CBS Commits to New Take on Classic Cop Series

Deadine reports CBS has given a pilot production commitment with penalties to a S.W.A.T. TV show reboot. According to the report, the potential new drama series is inspired by the 2003 feature film, starring Samuel L. Jackson, Colin Farrell, Michelle Rodriguez, LL Cool J, Josh Charles, and Jeremy Renner.

That film was based on the 1975 TV series from Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg, which was cancelled by ABC after two seasons. Steve Forrest, Robert Urich, Rod Perry, Mark Shera, and James Coleman starred.

Shawn Ryan, Neal H. Moritz, Justin Lin, and Aaron Rahsaan Thomas are executive producing the new S.W.A.T. project, which hails from Sony Pictures Television. CBS Television Studios is co-producing.

Here is more from Deadline.

Written by Sleepy Hollow alum Thomas with Fast & Furious helmer Lin possibly directing, S.W.A.T. is described as an intense, action-packed procedural following an African-American SWAT lieutenant torn between loyalty to the streets and duty to his fellow officers. He is tasked to run a new unit of highly trained but rugged outcasts who are the last stop for solving crimes in Los Angeles.

The 2003 movie S.W.A.T., produced by Moritz and directed by Clark Johnson, starred Samuel L. Jackson and co-starred Colin Farrell, Michelle Rodriguez and LL Cool J. It grossed $207 million at the worldwide box office.

Thomas is executive producing the potential series alongside Ryan and Marney Hochman of MiddKid Prods, Moritz and Pavun Shetty of Original Films, and Lin and Danielle Woodrow of Perfect Storm Entertainment. Thomas, Ryan’s MiddKid and Moritz’s Original Films all have overall deals at Sony TV.

Do you remember the opening theme song, from the old of S.W.A.T. TV show? Watch it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAHvsCb-6vU

What do you think? Were you a fan of the original S.W.A.T. TV series, or the feature film? Who would you cast in a new S.W.A.T. TV show? Tell us.