Netflixis reportedly developing a movie reboot of William Shatner’s 1980s police TV series, but this time it won’t be a drama.
Shatner became a TV icon thanks to the role of Enterprise captain James T. Kirk.At the same time Kirk and hisStar Trekshipmateswere tackling the new frontier of movies, Shatner found himself pulling double-duty back on the small screen, and planet Earth,playing a tough-but-compassionate big city cop in a five-season drama series.
Shatner’s more down-to-Earth post-Star Trekshow debuted in 1982 and ran for five seasons, the first four on ABC, and the final one on CBS after aStar Trek-like revival, ultimately racking up 91 total episodes plus a two-part TV movie.
Netflix Is Rebooting Shatner’s T.J. Hooker As A Movie
WhenT.J. Hookerreturns to screens this time around, it won’t be as a series, and it won’t be as a drama, as Netflix is planning a funny movie version of the 1980s TV hit. News of the reboot arrives 39 years after the show aired its final episode. The movie will be produced by 2.0 Entertainment, Prime Universe Films, and Vali Vista Films.
Netflix has tapped Jarrad Paul and Andy Mogel to write theirT.J. Hookermovie,which is reported to be in development following the streamer’s acquisition of the rights(viaVariety). The planned movie is said to be an action-comedy, which explains the hiring of Paul and Mogel, the writing team behind Jim Carrey’sYes Man.
Our Take On T.J. Hooker Becoming A Comedy Movie
News that Netflix is developing a comedic take onT.J. Hookerarrives even as Liam Neeson is enjoying a hit theatrical run in a remake of the hilarious1980s police movie send-upThe Naked Gun. With aT.J. Hookerwriting team that’s worked with the likes of Carrey, as well as Bert Kreischer,it seems Netflix wants their ownNaked Gun.
T.J. Hookermay seem an unlikely property to revive as a comedy, given that it was produced as a one-hour drama. However,Hookeris exactly the kind of thing that was being lampooned byThe Naked Gunand its progenitor showPolice Squad.
The squareness ofT.J. Hooker, a show that now seems unintentionally silly, makes it potentially ripe for retooling as a flat-out comedic property.Netflix has no problem spending the money to acquire big-name acting talent, so the movie’s cast will likely be loaded, with a major name taking on the role of Hooker.
Shatner himself could have easily pulled off a more comedy-leaning take on T.J. Hooker back in the day. In 2025, an actor like John Cena could be an ideal candidate to step into Shatner’s shoes. Indeed, Cena is set to star inLittle Brother, a comedy penned by the writing team now tacklingT.J. Hooker.
It’s yet to be seen if the 94-year-old Shatner will have any involvement in Netflix’s reboot of his 1980s cop show, but it’s almost certain he will have some kind of opinion about it, whether he’s in it or not.
