Action star Iko Uwais has been cast as the lead in Jakarta, a multi-generational family crime series in development at Alcon Entertainment, with Albert Hughes set to direct the pilot and executive produce.
The project is from screenwriters Kirk Ward and Joshua W. Wagner, with Ward also confirmed as showrunner. Hughes and Ward previously worked together on the “John Wick” prequel event series “The Continental,” which aired on Peacock. “Jakarta” marks the pair’s second collaboration, this time combining Ward’s drama writing background with Hughes’ feature filmmaking credentials to create what the producers are positioning as a grounded, visceral crime epic.
Uwais will executive produce alongside Ryan Santoso through his Uwais Pictures banner. Hughes, Ward and Wagner round out the executive producing team.
The series is set in Indonesia’s rapidly globalizing capital and builds on Uwais’ reputation for physically demanding action work, developed in films such as The Raid, Wu Assassins, Mile 22 with Mark Wahlberg, and The Expendables.
Hughes is best known for directing “Menace II: Society” and “The Book of Eli.”
Alcon Entertainment, known for films such as “Blade Runner 2049” and “The Expanse,” is in charge of production.
Uwais is repped by Gersh and Vault Entertainment. Hughes is repped by Range Media Partners. Ward is repped by Gersh and Wagner is repped by Gersh and Lit Entertainment. Ward and Wagner are represented by the law firm of Ginsburg, Daniels and Callis.
The action star is also set to star in John Ruddell’s Indonesian action thriller Warrior (Pendekar), which returns to the silat-based fighting style that launched his career. He will next be seen alongside Jake Gyllenhaal in Roadhouse 2.
