He is the law, and he’s getting a new television series. Judge Dredd, the gun-toting law enforcer from the British comic book 2000 AD, is getting a new live-action TV show titled Judge Dredd: Mega-City One from IM Global and video game publisher Rebellion. Set in the near future, where the whole U.S. East Coast has become a crowded megalopolis, Judge Dredd: Mega-City One will follow a team of “judges” as they navigate a massive city in the crime-ridden 22nd century.
Entertainment Weekly writes that the series will be produced by Battlestar Galactica producer Mark Stern, IM Global Television CEO Stuart Ford, and Rebellion owners Jason and Chris Kingsley. Ford previously served as executive producer of the 2012 Dredd movie, which was directed by Pete Travis and starred Karl Urban (Star Trek) as the titular Judge Dredd.
While it’s unknown what continuity the new series will follow, Jason and Chris Kingsley said in a statement that the project came to life due to the “legions of fans” on social media “who have kept up pressure … and a lot of background work and enthusiasm.” He added: “[W]e aim to make a big budget production that will satisfy both our vast comics audience and the even greater general screen-watching public.”
There is currently no attached talent for Judge Dredd: Mega City One, but Entertainment Weekly has the poster, which can be seen below.
2017 marks the 40th anniversary of the British sci-fi anthology comic 2000 AD. Created by John Wagner, Pat Mills, and Carlos Ezquerra, Judge Dredd — characterized by his square jaw, helmet, and extreme methods to pursue criminals — is a staple character of British comics who satirizes American militarization. Judge Dredd was also partly inspired by a strict teacher from Mills’s youth in boarding school.
In addition to comics, there have been two films: A 1995 adaptation, starring Sylvester Stallone, and the 2012 reboot that’s on its way to cult classic status.
