A major Hollywood project is in development as Shane Black prepares to bring Don Pendleton’s iconic The Executioner to the big screen under Sony Pictures.
The studio has successfully consolidated the complex screen rights to the long running book series, allowing the project to move forward under one banner for the first time in decades. This clears a major hurdle that had previously stalled multiple attempts to adapt the franchise into a feature film.
Black, known for his work on action classics, is set to write the screenplay alongside frequent collaborators Anthony Bagarozzi and Charles Mondry, with plans to also direct the film. He reunites with veteran producer Joel Silver, marking another collaboration between the duo known for successful action titles.
Production duties will also include Don Murphy and Susan Montford, who have spent years working to streamline the rights associated with the franchise.
The story centers on Mack Bolan, a skilled sniper turned vigilante who wages war against organized crime and global threats. The character became a defining figure in pulp action literature, appearing in hundreds of novels that spanned decades and sold millions of copies worldwide.
Originally created by Don Pendleton, the series began in 1969 and continued for years through multiple writers, eventually expanding into comics magazines and spin off titles. Its gritty tone and action heavy storytelling made it a cult favorite among readers.
Hollywood has explored adaptations of the series in the past, with several high profile actors and filmmakers previously linked to potential versions. However, fragmented rights and production challenges prevented those projects from materialising.
With Sony now holding unified control over the intellectual property, the latest adaptation is expected to have a clearer path to production. The involvement of experienced creatives and producers adds further anticipation to the project.
If successful, the film could revive a classic action hero for modern audiences and potentially launch a new franchise built around one of pulp fiction’s most enduring characters.