Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is John Creasy in the first look at Netflix‘s new adaptation of Man on Fire. The streamer released the image as part of a larger slew of previews for their upcoming slate of releases. Man on Fire does not yet have a release date, but it will premiere on the streamer in 2026. In the image, Abdul-Mateen wields a pistol as he springs into action. Abdul-Mateen stars as Creasy, a former Special Forces mercenary struggling with PTSD and living in Brazil; seeking purpose, he’s hired as a bodyguard by a wealthy family, hoping to stave off the spate of kidnappings plaguing the region. He unexpectedly finds himself bonding with their young daughter, but must confront his demons when his violent skills suddenly become necessary.
Kyle Killen (Halo) will showrun and executive-produce the series; its first two episodes will be directed by Steven Caple Jr. (Creed II, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts), who will also executive-produce alongside star Abdul Mateen. In addition to Abdul-Mateen, the series will also star Billie Boullet (World Breaker), Bobby Cannavale (Nine Perfect Strangers), Scoot McNairy (Halt and Catch Fire), Paul Ben-Victor (The Wire), and Alice Braga (Queen of the South).
What Is ‘Man on Fire’ About?
Man on Fire is based on the 1980 novel of the same name by A.J. Quinnell; the original novel centers around Marcus Creasy, a former member of the French Foreign Legion who’s hired as a bodyguard by a wealthy family in Italy. Creasy bonds with the family’s daughter; when she’s kidnapped by the Mafia, he goes on a brutal campaign of revenge, using every one of his well-honed skills to destroy his enemies. The 2004 film adaptation, which was directed by Tony Scott (Top Gun) and penned by Brian Helgeland (L.A. Confidential), moves the action to Mexico and makes John Creasy a veteran of the CIA; it starred Denzel Washington in the lead role, as well as Dakota Fanning, Mickey Rourke, Radha Mitchell, Marc Anthony, and Christopher Walken. The film was a financial success but not a critical one, and has since become a reliable staple of cable TV and streaming.
Denzel Washington wasn’t the first actor to play Creasy on-screen. Scott Glenn starred in the lead role in a 1987 Italian-made adaptation of Man on Fire. That film, which remains largely unknown to modern audiences, also featured Joe Pesci, Jonathan Pryce, Brooke Adams, and Danny Aiello.
Man on Fire will be released in 2026 on Netflix.
via Collider