Netflix has tapped David Fincher, who directed “House of Cards” and “The Social Network,” and Robert Towne, the Oscar-winning screenwriter, to co-write a pilot for a “Chinatown” prequel series, Deadline reported.
The 1974 movie, directed by Roman Polanski, starred Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway and John Huston in a tale of corruption and perversion. It begins with a simple case of adultery before uncovering Los Angeles’ unsavory real-estate deals and the city’s nefarious water history.
The prequel series will explore the life of PI Jake Gittes before “Chinatown” and the cases he investigates as the secrets and greed of the city’s wealthiest are revealed.
In addition, Fincher is slated to direct “Mank” for the streamer. The drama records the battles between screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz and Orson Welles over the legendary film “Citizen Kane.”
Fincher has also directed several episodes of Netflix’s hit show “Mindhunter.”