Billy Summers Limited Series - What We Know So Far
According to Deadline, a small-screen adaptation of the Stephen King novel "Billy Summers" is in the early stages of development. J.J. Abrams is putting together a limited-series package to present to cable networks and streaming services under the banner of his Bad Robots production company. Longtime creative collaborators Ed Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz are attached to pen the script for the series, which will consist of six to 10 episodes.
In addition to creating the shows "Alias," "Lost," and "Fringe," Abrams is a successful director ("Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens"), writer ("Armageddon," "Super 8"), and producer ("Westworld," "Person of Interest"). Zwick and Herskovitz, the co-creators of "Thirtysomething" and "Once Again," also co-produced the films "Blood Diamond," "Traffic," and "Legends of the Fall." The duo co-wrote the screenplays for "The Last Samurai," "Jack Reacher: Never Go Back," and "Love & Other Drugs" in addition to their many individual projects.
Here's what we know so far about the "Billy Summers" limited series.
J.J. Abrams will produce the small-screen adaptation
Stephen King's "Billy Summers" centers around the titular character, a hitman who moves to a small town and poses as a writer after mobsters hire him to take out one of their former employees, another hitman named Joel Allen who is about to stand trial for murder. Per Deadline, "Summers, a meticulous craftsman, becomes more and more cynical about the mobsters who've hired him, and his skepticism is well warranted as things go awry following the job's completion." There's no word yet on casting or a possible release date. However, according to Deadline, sources say the package is on the fast track for completion.
If "Billy Summers" comes to fruition, it will mark Abrams' fourth series adaptation with the horror writer. Abrams produced "Lisey's Story," which aired on Apple TV+ in 2021, as well as Hulu's "Castle Rock," which aired for two seasons (2018-2019), and the 2016 sci-fi miniseries "11.22.63."
Stay tuned for more updates as they become available.