Glen Powell and Richard Linklater Are Returning to the World of Hit Man
Netflix is developing a television series inspired by Hit Man, the 2024 feature film that became one of the streamer’s standout originals. According to reports, the potential series is in early development, with Glen Powell and Richard Linklater both attached as executive producers.
The original movie carried impressive creative credentials. Powell not only starred in the film but also co-wrote and produced it alongside Linklater, who directed, co-wrote, and produced the project. Their involvement in the series suggests Netflix wants to preserve the tone and offbeat energy that helped make the movie resonate with viewers.
Stephen Falk, best known as the creator of the critically praised comedy-drama You’re the Worst, has been tapped to write the adaptation. Falk also joins the project as an executive producer. His experience balancing dark humor with complicated characters makes him an interesting choice to expand Hit Man into episodic storytelling.
BarnStorm Productions, Powell’s production company, will produce alongside AGC Television. Dan Cohen joins Powell on behalf of BarnStorm, while AGC executives Stuart Ford, Miguel A. Palos Jr., and Lourdes Diaz are also onboard. Steve Barnett, Alan Powell, Vicky Patel, Shivani Rawat, and Julie Goldstein will serve as co-executive producers.
Netflix has declined to comment publicly on the project.
The Series Could Explore Endless New Identities
While story details remain tightly guarded, the upcoming adaptation is expected to build upon the central premise that made the film so entertaining in the first place.
The original Hit Man followed Gary Johnson, an ordinary college professor who worked undercover with law enforcement. Rather than functioning as a real assassin, he posed as a fake hitman to expose people attempting to hire someone to commit murder. What made the character fascinating wasn’t just the deception itself, but the elaborate disguises and entirely different personalities he adopted during each assignment.
That format naturally lends itself to television.
A weekly or season-long structure could allow writers to introduce fresh cases, unusual clients, and entirely new alter egos for the lead character. Each mission creates opportunities for comedy, suspense, and emotional complications without making the concept feel repetitive.
The disguise-heavy setup has drawn comparisons to classic spy dramas such as Alias, where shifting identities became part of the show’s appeal. Ironically, Powell has already demonstrated his comfort with physical transformations in Hulu’s comedy series Chad Powers, where prosthetics and hidden identities played a major role in the story.
From Festival Favorite to Netflix Success Story
Long before becoming a Netflix success, Hit Man generated attention on the festival circuit.
AGC Studios first announced the project in 2022, securing several international sales ahead of production. The movie eventually premiered at the Venice Film Festival before making its North American debut at the Toronto International Film Festival.
It was there that Netflix acquired distribution rights for multiple territories, including the United States and the United Kingdom, in a reported $20 million deal. After receiving a limited theatrical release, the film debuted on Netflix in June 2024 and quickly became one of the service’s most celebrated releases of the year.
Critics praised its breezy storytelling, chemistry between its leads, and Powell’s charismatic performance. Awards recognition soon followed. Powell earned a Golden Globe nomination for his work in the film, while Powell and Linklater received a Writers Guild Award nomination for their screenplay.
That combination of critical acclaim and audience appreciation likely convinced Netflix there was more life left in the concept.
Netflix Continues Building Universes From Its Biggest Hits
Turning successful movies into television extensions has become an increasingly important strategy for the streaming giant.
One of Netflix’s most recognizable examples remains To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. The romantic film trilogy eventually expanded into the spinoff series XO, Kitty, which recently released its third season and built its own dedicated fanbase.
The company is also moving ahead with an Extraction television project connected to the Chris Hemsworth-led action franchise. By revisiting familiar titles, Netflix can capitalize on existing audience awareness while reducing some of the risks associated with launching entirely original properties.
Hit Man feels particularly suited for this treatment because its premise was never limited to a single storyline. The concept practically invites expansion. New cases can emerge, identities can evolve, and the central character can continue navigating the increasingly blurred line between performance and reality.
Whether Glen Powell ultimately appears on-screen remains one of the biggest unanswered questions surrounding the adaptation. For now, his involvement behind the scenes already gives longtime fans a reason to pay attention.
If Netflix manages to capture the same charm, wit, and unpredictability that defined the original film, Hit Man could easily become the streamer’s next binge-worthy series obsession.
