Hawkman has got his next mission!Aldis Hodgewho brought the DC superhero character to life in the recently released blockbusterBlack Adamhas been cast to play the lead titular role in a thriller series based on the acclaimedAlex Crossnovel series by celebrated authorJames Patterson. The series, which has been given the official titleCross, has just received the green light from Amazon Studios after two years in development. Hodge will produce the series in addition to starring in the lead role.
Crosspromises to deliver a “complex, twisted, and pulse-pounding thriller” following the killer-hunting adventures of its titular lead, Alex Cross. Cross is a detective and forensic psychologist who possesses the unique ability to decipher the psyche of murderers and their victims and ultimately bring them to justice. Part of what keeps Cross motivated at his job is a tragic personal experience — the death of his wife who, like many of the victims he works to avenge, was murdered. This singular experience has left an indelible pain in his soul leaving him a flawed man full of contradictions and sometimes driving him to the point of obsession when handling cases.
“James Patterson is among the best at captivating audiences with his undeniably enthralling novels and we are confident that withBen Watkins’ artistic vision, Cross will do the same for our global customers,” saidVernon Sanders, head of global television at Amazon Studios. “We are proud to work with James and Ben alongside Paramount Television, Skydance, and the extremely talented Aldis Hodge, who we know will do an exceptional job of bringing Alex Cross to life.”Crosswill be the fourth time the popular novel character is getting an on-screen treatment but the first time as a series. Created, produced, written, and showrun by Watkins,Crossis keeping with the tradition of casting African-American actors in the role.Morgan Freemanfirst brought the fictional character to life in the first two films of theAlex Crossfilm series followed byTyler Perryin the last film released in 2012.
RELATED:Pierce Brosnan and Aldis Hodge Talk ‘Black Adam’ and Filming a New Kind of Superhero Fight Scene
Prior to his role inBlack Adam, Aldis Hodge is known for starring and producing Showtime’sCity On A Hill. He played Alec Hardison in the TNT seriesLeverageand currently reprises the role inLeverage: Redemption.Crossadds to Hodge’s list of upcoming works which includes the filmParallelwhich will also star his brotherEdwin Hodge, andMarmalade, a romantic heist from directorKeir O’Donnell. His previous film credits includeRegina King’s directorial debutOne Night in Miami,Invisible Man, andHidden Figureswhich earned him a shared SAG Award with the ensemble cast.
Joining Watkins to produce the series are authorPatterson,Sam Ernst,Jim Dunn, andCraig Siebels. Other producers includeBill Robinson,Patrick Santa, David Ellison,Dana Goldberg, andBill Bost.Crossadds to a growing list of book-to-series adaptations from the collaboration between Amazon, Paramount Television Studios, and Skydance Television, others beingJack RyanandReacher.
Prime Video is yet to set a premiere date forCross, but as always stay tuned at Collider for more updates.Black Adam, starring Hodge, is currently showing in theaters worldwide, watch the trailer for the film below:
