Having worked with Netflix on the critically acclaimed limited series When They See Us, Ava DuVernay has signed on to work with a streaming rival. The Selma and A Wrinkle In Time director will helm the pilot of DMZ for HBO Max. It’s an adaptation of the comic series of the same name, and DuVernay will reportedly work on it before she directs her big comic book movie New Gods at Warner Bros.
DMZ takes place in the near future where an American civil war has left Manhattan a demilitarised zone isolated from the rest of the world. The story revolves around a female medic desperately searching for her lost son in the DMZ while contending with gangs, militias, and warlords while trying to save lives along the way.
Robert Patino is on board as showrunner. His previous writing credits include Westworld and Sons Of Anarchy, plus he also wrote the upcoming Fear Street movie. Although mostly known for her films, DuVernay has worked in TV before too. She helmed the pilot for the series Queen Sugar and directed an episode of Scandal. She also has a hand in producing a lot of small screen shows.
As mentioned, DuVernay is attached to direct New Gods at Warner Bros. However, with Birds Of Prey, The Suicide Squad and The Batman on the docket, that film clearly isn’t an immediate priority. That’s not to say it isn’t important, but WB seems to want their DC films to have breathing space in between releases, thus DuVernay has plenty of time to sink her teeth into DMZ.
It will be fascinating to see what she can create with this futuristic, lawless world. Filming on the pilot will begin in early 2020.
#Peace.Love.DMZ
