Sylvester Stallone’s production company, Balboa Productions, has officially begun development on a series adaptation of J.D. Barker’s bestselling thriller book series, 4MK.
Set in Chicago, the story follows Detective Sam Porter as he hunts the elusive “Four Monkey Killer,” a murderer who terrorizes the city by targeting corrupt individuals and punishing them through their loved ones. The killer leaves behind ritualistic crime scenes involving the removal of victims’ ears, eyes, and tongues to embody the classic “hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil” motifs, while his unspoken fourth commandment, “do no evil”, serves as a tool to expose deeper systemic corruption.
The upcoming series is set to draw from an extensive scope, encompassing both Barker’s original 4MK trilogy, The Fourth Monkey, The Fifth to Die, and The Sixth Wicked Child, as well as a newly announced prequel trilogy, the first installment of which is slated for release on September 22. The creative direction of the project is being led by Channing Powell, a veteran of The Walking Dead franchise, who will serve as showrunner, writer, and executive producer alongside Stallone and D. Matt Geller.
Both Stallone and Powell have expressed high enthusiasm for the project; Stallone described Barker’s world as a “ruthless narrative engine” perfect for premium television, while Powell highlighted her fascination with the story’s intense exploration of guilt, justice, and the dark, emotional wreckage left behind in the pursuit of the truth.
Source: Deadline
