34 Years Later, Jake Gyllenhaal Is About to Repeat Harrison Ford’s Most Thrilling Success
Let’s see if the new generation can pull it off.
Every time a TV or movie crew is asked to adapt a popular novel, there is a chance that it will go horribly wrong. While some novels are easier to retell in new formats, others are impossible to make into a coherent script without changing too many things or adding too many new plots to fill in the holes.
If there's already a perfectly good adaptation of a novel, many believe it's better to leave it alone as a good example. In the case of Scott Turow's Presumed Innocent, however, the story ended up looking too good to leave behind.
Presumed Innocent Release Date
Although Scott Turow's 1987 novel Presumed Innocent has already been adapted into the 1990 film of the same name starring Harrison Ford, Apple TV Plus has decided to repeat the success and give the book another shot. In this version, the story will be adapted into an 8-episode miniseries starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Rusty.
Set in Chicago, this crime thriller tells the story of a prosecutor who finds himself accused of murder. Having an affair with the victim, his colleague Carolyn, doesn't help his case and makes him a perfect suspect.
“The series explores obsession, sex, politics, and the power and limits of love, as the accused fights to hold his family and marriage together,” reads the show’s description.
Aside from Gyllenhaal, the cast consists of brilliant actors who are perfectly capable of creating palpable chemistry on screen. With Ruth Negga as the lead character's wife, as well as Bill Camp, Elizabeth Marvel and Renate Reinseve, the show promises to be one of the biggest premieres of the genre in 2024.
The series is created by David E. Kelly and executive produced by Gyllenhaal and J.J. Abrams, which can also be taken as a guarantee of impeccable quality.
The show's 1990s predecessor was highly regarded by many critics and audiences alike. With a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 86%, the movie was elevated by Harrison Ford's performance, but lacked the depth that the TV series format can easily allow for this twisted and somewhat shocking story.
If you are interested in seeing Gyllenhaal's Rusty come to life on your screen, be sure to tune in to Apple TV Plus on June 12 to catch the big premiere of Presumed Innocent.