An American Gigolo series adaptation with Jon Bernthal (The Punisher) as its lead has been ordered at Showtime, according to Variety. The 1980s film follows a gigolo named Julian, played by Richard Gere (Pretty Woman), when his complicated lifestyle leads him to be a prime suspect in a murder trial.
Bernthal will play the role of Julian Kaye 15 years after his arrest, while navigating the changed sex industry in modern-day Los Angeles. He ventures to unveil the truth of the set-up that sent him to prison and hopes to reconnect with his one true love along the way. The original film was well-received by critics, with both Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel giving it 3.5 stars out of four. Plans for a series adaptation for Showtime have continued since 2016, until it was finally given a series order for ten episodes yesterday, June 15, 2021.
The series will star Rosie O’Donnell (The Flintstones) as homicide Detective Sunday, Lizzie Brocheré (American Translation) as Isabel, a sex work ring heiress, Gabriel LaBelle (Dead Shack) as a younger version of Julian, Leland Orser (Taken) as tech billionaire Richard Stratton, and guest star Wayne Brady (Whose Line is it Anyway) as Julian’s best friend Lorenzo.