A TV prequel to the 1970s-era film “Chinatown” is in development at Netflix, with David Fincher and Robert Towne, who wrote the original film, on board to write the pilot, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
The potential series will see Jake Gittes during his time as private investigator before the events of the film. Gittes was played by Jack Nicholson in the original movie.
Netflix declined to comment.
The 1974 film was directed by Roman Polanski, and also starred Faye Dunaway, John Huston, Perry Lopez and John Hillerman. Towne won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. A sequel, “The Two Jakes,” was released in 1990 with Nicholson and Towne returning.
Fincher has extensive experience with Netflix. He directed the first two episodes of “House of Cards” and was an executive producer. He also directs and executive produces “Mindhunters” and “Love, Death & Robots,” (which he only executive produces).
Deadline was first to report the news of the “Chinatown” prequel.