After several years in the making, Netflix has finally unleashed our first look at their upcoming serial reboot of the Denzel Washington action thriller classic, Man on Fire. Oscar-winner and Hollywood icon Denzel Washington led 2004’s Man on Fire under the late, great director Tony Scott, with Watchmen, Candyman, Aquaman, and Wonder Man star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II sticks with having “man” appear in the majority of his credits as he takes over from Washington as John W. Creasy, “a Special Forces soldier looking for a fresh start.” Alongside the first look at the Man on Fire series, which you can check out below, Netflix has revealed our first official details about the action thriller series. “Man on Fire is based on author A.J. Quinnell’s book series, which kicked off with a 1980 novel of the same name. Director Steven Caple Jr. will direct the first two episodes of the series’ seven-episode season,” the report on Tudum reveals. With Creed II director Steven Caple Jr. on board alongside the hugely talented Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in the lead, Man on Fire promises to deliver everything action thriller fans could want. Billie Boullet (World-Breaker), Alice Braga (City of God), Scoot McNairy (True Detective), and Bobby Cannavale (The Watcher) will star in the series alongside Abdul-Mateen II, with Netflix having also released a new synopsis for the series…
Man on Fire follows John Creasy, who was once a high-functioning and skilled Special Forces Mercenary known for surviving even the most desolate situations. However, John is now battling extreme PTSD and personal demons. As he attempts a fresh start, he’ll find himself back in the (metaphorical) fire and fighting harder than ever.

‘Man on Fire’ Will Hit Netflix in 2026

Netflix

As well as the first look and synopsis, the streamer has also revealed details of Billie Boullet’s key character. Taking cues from Dakota Fanning’s role in Washington’s Man on Fire, Boullet will play Poe Rayburn, who Netflix describes as “someone growing at a rapid and confusing pace — and she possesses the attitude that comes with it. Poe is unhappy about her parents’ decision to move to Brazil. So she spends her days with her wealthy international classmates until a tragic incident changes her perspective on family and life. As the sole witness to a terrifying event, Poe quickly learns that her only real ally is John.”

The Netflix reboot of Man on Fire (the 2004 original is also now available on the streamer) sees Yahya Abdul-Mateen II take the lead and, speaking exclusively with MovieWeb, Bobby Cannavale, who is set to star alongside Abdul-Mateen II as Paul Rayburn, an ex–Special Forces soldier who has a unique ability to read people in the serial reboot, heaped praise on the “really, really fantastic actor.”
“Man on Fire is the Denzel movie from years ago that Netflix is turning into a series with a really, really fantastic actor, Yahya Mateen. He’s trying to protect his mentor. I play his mentor, the Chris Walken role in the movie, who trained him. So that’s what I’m playing in this movie is the guy who taught him everything he knows. I can’t say enough about him [Yahya]. That guy is a really, really fantastic actor.”

Release Date

April 23, 2004

Runtime

146 minutes

Director

Tony Scott

Writers

Brian Helgeland