After a decade of anticipation since True Detective reshaped the crime thriller landscape, Matthew McConaughey and acclaimed writer Nic Pizzolatto are back with an exciting new project. The duo is revisiting the gritty crime genre with a feature-length adaptation of the legendary Mike Hammer, the hardboiled private investigator created by Mickey Spillane in his 1947 novel I, The Jury.
Mike Hammer is an iconic figure in crime fiction, inspiring characters like Dirty Harry, Jack Reacher, and even James Bond — the latter famously described by Ian Fleming as the “British answer to Mike Hammer.” Skydance has secured the rights to the Spillane and Max Allan Collins franchise, planning to bring the bestselling series to the big screen, promising a fresh take on a classic character who has already appeared in numerous films and television adaptations, including series starring Darren McGavin and Stacy Keach.
Meanwhile, fans of True Detective have reason to celebrate, as Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson have expressed interest in reprising their roles as Detectives Rust Cohle and Marty Hart for a new season. During a recent interview on Tim Green’s Nothing Left Unsaid podcast, Pizzolatto shared that although no script has been finalized, the story would focus once again on these beloved characters, though it won’t be a direct continuation of season one’s plot.
“I actually have another story for Cohle and Hart that, who knows, maybe we’ll do it one day,” Pizzolatto revealed, adding that the project remains character-driven but without concrete commitments. He acknowledged the creative pressure he places on himself but remains focused on telling stories that feel authentic to him.
Previously, Pizzolatto ignited excitement by confirming he had written a true sequel to the acclaimed debut season of True Detective, which even saw McConaughey and Harrelson participate in a table read for a script titled True Detective: The Return. However, the difference between that script and the latest concept remains unclear, leaving fans eager but uncertain about the show’s future direction.
In the meantime, HBO continues to expand the True Detective universe with season 5 in development. This upcoming season will take place against the evocative backdrop of Jamaica Bay, New York, a partially man-made southern estuary, promising a new cinematic atmosphere for the beloved crime drama.
