James Gunn is working on a new Starsky & Hutch show with Amazon

Amazon is currently developing a script-to-series original Starsky & Hutch, from James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy, Slither, Super). A co-production with Sony Pictures Television Studios and a continuation of the original 1970s series, the project will be a character-driven one hour procedural for Prime Video that deconstructs the buddy cop genre in the same entertaining way that Gunn did with the science fiction genre. The project is anticipated to be executive produced by James Gunn, writing partners Brian Gunn and Mark Gunn (Journey 2: The Mysterious Island), and Original Film’s Neal Moritz (Preacher) and Pavun Shetty (New Girl). Starsky & Hutch will be written by Brian and Mark, based on an idea by James.

It is all very intriguing so far as they do say it is a continuation of the original 1970s series. Does that mean it will be set in the 1970s or will it be the kids of the original characters?

“Chekhov said if you have a gun in the room, it’s going to go off. We can’t wait to see what three Gunns do with Starsky & Hutch,” said Joe Lewis, Head of Comedy, Drama and VR, Amazon Studios.

Starsky & Hutch is the first foray into television for James Gunn and his production company Troll Court Entertainment. James Gunn, whose credits included mostly fan favourite indie films prior to writing and directing Guardians of the Galaxy, is responsible for turning the Marvel property into one of the most memorable franchises in the Marvel universe. The franchise has garnered over $1.6 billion at the worldwide box office and solidified Gunn as one of the most in demand filmmakers in town.

Created by William Blinn and produced by Spelling-Goldberg Productions, the original series, which aired on ABC from 1975 to 1979, centered on two detectives, the streetwise David Michael Starsky (played by Paul Michael Glaser) and the by-the-book Kenneth Richard “Hutch” Hutchinson (David Soul), traversing the streets of the fictional Bay City, California in a two-door Ford Gran Torino.

“When I was a kid, Starsky & Hutch was the first ‘adult’ show I ever saw, and I fell in love,” said James Gunn. “It instilled in me a lifelong love of gritty street shows, of killer 70’s threads, and muscle cars. So when Neal Mortiz asked me if I wanted to be a part of an all new Starsky & Hutch on TV, I was instantly intrigued. I teamed up with the two writers I trusted most in the world to work with us, my brother Brian Gunn and my cousin Mark Gunn and together we came up with a show that I’m really proud of. At Amazon I believed we would have the most freedom to create something that is different, challenges the audience, and that strays outside the parameters of genre from time to time.”

“We are thrilled to be working with Amazon on this unique approach to a character driven procedural,” said Jason Clodfelter, Co-President, Sony Pictures Television Studios. “The Gunns completely surpassed our expectations while paying respect to the original.”

“The chance to work with one of my favourite directors on one of my favourite properties seems too good to be true,” added Neal Moritz. “I’m so excited to make this show at Amazon with James, Mark and Brian.”