Vincent D'Onofrio already generated quite a bit of buzz this year for his villainous turn on Netflix's Daredevil, and it appears the Law & Order: Criminal Intent alum isn't stepping too far from playing naughty characters just yet. He just signed on to star in Dax Shepard's cinematic remake of CHiPs as the feature's antagonist.
D'Onofrio joins Shepard and Michael Pena, who entered the remake as Jon Baker and Frank "Ponch" Poncherello, respectively, back in September. According to The Hollywood Reporter, he'll play the auto-stealing ringleader and ruthless former cop Ponch and Jon must fight.
Although plot details are kept secret, there is at least an exotic-car theft ring involved in the new movie. Shepard, in addition to starring, directs and produces CHiPs, and co-writes the screenplay based on Paul Kaplan and Mark Torgove's initial draft. Andrew Panay also produces, with Jesse Ehrman and Nik Mavinkurve overseeing the film for Warner Bros.
When the project was announced, it was said to be a more serious adaptation of the original 1970s show, unlike tongue-in-cheek cop TV reboots like 21 and 22 Jump Street and Starsky and Hutch. To be more specific, the tone was considered more in line with buddy cop films like Bad Boys and Lethal Weapon, which had jokes but took the main plot fairly serious. As nothing has been said otherwise — although the actor/director in charge is known more for his comedy — it appears this decision hasn't changed. This is Shepard's first studio film as a director, and his first movie he'll helm on his own. Although he previously in the main chair for Hit & Run and Brother's Justice, he shared the spot with David Palmer. He was the independent director behind episodes of Parenthood and About a Boy, however.
Additionally, in addition to all the eggs Shepard juggles with this project, he also plans to perform his own riding scenes and stunts, as he is a professional race car and motorcycle driver. There's no word yet on when production is supposed to begin.
This is not the first time D'Onofrio and Shepard work together, as both starred in last year's The Judge. He next can be seen in Jurassic World next month, and then returns to work with Chris Pratt — and also stars alongside Denzel Washington, Ethan Hawke, Matt Bomer, Peter Sarsgaard and more — in Antonie Fuqua's Magnificent Seven remake. He also recently filmed a role in James Franco's In Dubious Battle.
Image courtesy of Walter McBride/INFphoto.com
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