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EXCLUSIVE: Universal Pictures is getting serious about Kojak, hiring the scribe team of Neal Purvis & Robert Wade to script a movie around the tough-talking, smooth scalped cop played by Telly Savalas on the CBS series. Vin Diesel, who just wrapped Fast And Furious 6 for the studio, will play the chrome-domed cop in the film, which he’s producing with Samantha Vincent for their Universal-based One Race Films.
The series, which ran from 1973-78, was a popular procedural with an iconic cop, and the scribes will re-imagine and contemporize it for the big screen. Purvis & Wade are coming off Skyfall, which is nearing $1 billion in worldwide box office, and they wrote the previous four Bond films, including Casino Royale, Quantum Of Solace and Die Another Day. CAA and Brillstein rep Diesel, while UTA reps the scribes. Universal co-president of production Jeffrey Kirschenbaum and production veep Kristin Lowe are overseeing it for the studio.
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I came late to Skyfall. Just saw it two days ago. Given the raves, I was really looking forward to it.
But damn, it was crappy. Boring, and it borrowed from so many classic movies, like “Straw Dogs.” (Dustin Hoffman version.)
I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. What’s with all the hype?
Have to agree with you. It was OK, but nothing close to the hype-machine.
I can see him playing Kojak. Have to change the whole Greek thing that Savalas had going, but I’m sure they’ll come up with something.
Why have they darkened Savalas so much?? He is Greek!
Is it to make it more palatable to have *Vin Diesel* (what a name) who is half African-American taking over?
They have an extensive file of silly puns from Bond they can now use for Kojak. Let’s see how they work around, “Who loves ya, baby?”
My favorite expression from KOJAK:
They were investigating a murder and figured it was a lovers spat between coworkers. Then they discovered the victim, his lover, and a jealous coworker were all closeted homosexuals.
Back in the precinct, Theo shakes his head and mutters, “Jack Jones…Ted Smith…Alex Miller…All three-dollar bills.”
You just made this sorry excuse for a movie all the more interesting. Thank you.
I don’t understand that joke at all
Craig and Bardem overcame the nuclear lameness of that script. But this is Hollywood and when you’re associated with a hit you are either talented or lucky., so they have to give you more opportunity hoping your talent or luck will rub off.
Also vin Diesel is multi racial, guys. Open your mind.
This began as a joke casting idea right here on Deadline after Vince Vaughn announced he was doing the Rockford Files. “What’s next, Vin Diesel as Kojak?” Good to see that Universal is getting their feature film ideas from anonymous posters right here.
I agree with you and Bob! Quite overrated.
Had this same thought about three years ago for Diesel. Smart move, it will be a hit.
Savales just got up, made himself a sandwich, checked his voicemail, then rolled over in his grave.
First The Equalizer, now Kojak. What old CBS show will get rebooted for the big screen next?
I can see Rhames playing Kojak. In fact, I did. The USA series didn’t really click seven years ago – surprised it’s getting another go.
Oh, this one is with Vin Diesel. Big difference. (not really).
actually it wasn’t that bad! Rhames had the Kojak persona down pat.
Are these the guys who decided that SKYFALL should suddenly turn into HOME ALONE in the final act? I was honestly waiting for Judi Dench to start laying banana peels on the floor. And it was so solid up until then. Really, really silly choice.
Never seen STRAW DOGS, eh?
The great thing about Kojak was how sexy and cool Telly Savalas was in the show and real life.
again hollywood is bankrupt of new ideas…first off these remakes usually don’t work because the actors of today are lightweights compared to previous generations. a few years back the studious were stupid as it was to do the Honeymooners and not realize that the personality of the stupendously talented actor in the role would forever be strongly associated with the character. Gleason is Ralph Kramden. To think a no talent like Cedric the Entertainer could impersonate ralph is arrogant. Telly Savalas is Kojak. The great James Garner is Rockford.Robert Conrad is Jim West. Give it up you useless suits. Try something new..Bring back westerns;they entail good acting, morality play and action. Stop trying to re-create lightning in a bottle.
I would like to see Kojak get brought back to the screen or TV. A lot of things in the real world of crime and injustice can relate to reviving the show Kojak.
This movie will never be made. If it does get made it will flop. Diesel is only bankable in the Fast and Furious movies. Nobody is going to pay to see him as Kojak. There’s no reason for this movie except to spend money on worthless development.
Purvis and Wade are decent Bond movie writers but there’s nothing about Kojak that makes the character movie material. Telly Savalas was gruff and likable on TV 40 years ago. The show was popular from 1971 to 1977. There is no way to update that character and make him an action movie hero.
Vin would have better luck making his insanely expensive Hannibal crosses the Alps with elephants movie that he talked about doing 10 years ago. He said it would cost “eleventy billion dollars” and he was right. He wanted it to be like Alexander the Great with Hannibal and his army crossing the Alps on elephants. That’s worth making.
Vin Diesel doesn’t have the Telly Savalas charm. It’ll be a hard magic trick to pull off.
Maybe they’ll try a ‘traitors in our midst’ story for a change, with the exception being ‘The World is Not Enough’. Or ‘Die Another Day’. Or ‘Casino Royale’ …
This remaking movie from old television classic shows. Is really going overboard if I might say. Truly Kojak,when I heard by reading this article that a movie was about to be made from the classic television show Kojak portrayed by the late actor Telly Savalas who played his part so well. It’s always difficult to make something remade again specially when that actor was so connected to the popularity of it and then decades later to get an actor who may do justice or do harm to such a popular character on television could be successful or it could be a bust. It’s troubling to hear in the Hollywood these days that there aren’t any ideas that are fresh instead it’s not so new what is new though there have been so many few that have been successful that the success is far and between. Lately the movie industry has been so much into just not wanting to make movies with new stories to tell instead it’s become the reboot machine mostly then anything else.
I agree with both of you.
I’d be enthused about this if Skyfall weren’t a really bad attempt to do a Batman movie starring James Bond.