Bill Paxton will star in CBS’ planned sequel series to Training Day. The Big Love actor will play a role similar to the one Denzel Washington played in the movie, which earned him a Best Actor Oscar.
As previously reported, the series will have the roles from the movie switched. In the film, Washington was a veteran, corrupt cop paired with an idealistic young cop played by Ethan Hawke. For the series, the veteran role will be taken by a white actor (Paxton in this case) and the rookie will be played by an African-American actor. That role remains uncast.
While Hawke was approached to reprise his role, Deadline reports that he turned the producers down. Antoine Fuqua, who also directed the movie, was supposed to helm the pilot, but he pulled out because of his packed schedule. Danny Cannon (Gotham, CSI) was picked to direct. Fuqua remains involved as an executive producer.
Will Beall wrote the script and Jerry Bruckheimer is among the executive producers. It is a Warner Bros. TV production.
The Hollywood Reporter points out Training Day will be Paxton’s first regular series role since HBO’s Big Love if it gets picked up. Paxton did have a recurring role on Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD and starred in Hatfields & McCoys and Texas Rising.
Paxton’s recent film credits include Nightcrawler and Edge of Tomorrow.