Den of Thieves, a title that has undoubtedly caught attention in the film industry, almost took a different path—one that could have seen it evolve into a television series rather than the film franchise it is today. In an exclusive discussion, writer and director Christian Gudegast revealed intriguing details about this alternate direction during a recent interview.
As we dive into the early stages of development, it’s striking to imagine how a series could have unfolded, especially given the wealth of material Gudegast encountered while researching real-life heists. “When I was developing the first Den of Thieves, I came across numerous heists and got to know the investigators involved. There was a massive amount of content that suggested we could create a franchise,” he explained.
He further shared that there was a fleeting moment when the concept was indeed considered for television. “I had outlined character arcs for Gerard Butler’s Nick and O’Shea Jackson Jr.’s Donnie, along with various heists occurring globally. It was part of the initial plan,” he noted.
However, the industry’s inclination at the time to adapt feature scripts into television series influenced this decision. “The trend was pointing toward taking feature films and converting them into shows, which is something that happened with other projects I’ve worked on as well,” he added. Ultimately, they decided to continue with the movie format, resulting in the franchise we’re now familiar with.
Reflecting on the first installment of Den of Thieves, the gritty atmosphere and intense heist sequences sure made an impact. While opinions on the sequel may vary, its grand finale showcased a meticulous execution of a theft, illustrating a process reminiscent of real-world crimes. Gudegast has been meticulous in his representation, ensuring that the heists resonate as authentically as possible.
Imagining a Den of Thieves television series sparks curiosity, particularly how each heist could have served as a season’s focal point. Yet, there’s a strong argument for keeping this franchise as films. While the interpersonal dynamics between Butler’s Big Nick and Jackson’s Donnie are compelling, they haven’t quite reached the iconic status of notable duos from other films. A series could have provided more depth, allowing for greater exploration of their relationship, but it also runs the risk of succumbing to the pitfalls that often plague many modern TV shows, such as unnecessary bloat.
Many fans would likely prefer a new movie every few years, maintaining that feeling of uniqueness and specialness, instead of a series that might drag on longer than needed due to modern viewing habits.
For those interested in hearing more insights from Gudegast, a detailed interview is available on today’s episode of the /Film Daily podcast, where you can find a deeper exploration of this topic and more engaging content.
