Sylvester Stallone's 1997 Crime Drama 'Cop Land' Lands TV Series Adaptation
Director James Mangold is making his return to TV after almost a decade, adapting the 1997 film Cop Land for Paramount Television Studios and Miramax Television. The Sylvester Stallone-led original film was a box office success, with positive critical reviews.
According to Deadline, Mangold is heading back to his roots, revisiting the crime drama film that earned him recognition early on in his career. He's set to co-write, direct, and executive produce a series adaptation of his movie Cop Land. The Old Man co-creator Rob Levine is also attached as its showrunner, co-writer, and executive producer.
Details about the project are still unclear, and whether or not Stallone will return in some capacity as his original character. Cop Land premiered in August of 1997 with the cast including Stallone alongside Harvey Keitel, Ray Liotta, and Robert De Niro. It also starred Peter Berg, Janeane Garofalo, Robert Patrick, Michael Rapaport, Annabella Sciorra, Noah Emmerich, and Cathy Moriarty in supporting roles.
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The crime drama has become one of Stallone's underrated hits, playing the role of a small-town sheriff in Garrison, New Jersey, named Freddy Heflin. The state has become home to corrupt New York police officers who live there tax-free. Despite Freddy idolizing them, he soon discovers their corruption and involvement in organized crime. Freddy is forced to seek justice and the truth when a young officer is murdered after having discovered evidence of their crimes.
The Cop Land TV series will be the first time Mangold is credited as a series writer, with the project having come about due to his overall deal with Paramount. The project began taking shape two years ago after Jonathan Glickman became Miramax CEO and discussed with Mangold the idea of adapting the title from the studio's film library into a television series.
For now, there are no details of an official cast or actor to lead the series. Stallone has also not publicly commented on the project and his involvement.
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This story was originally published April 24, 2026 at 10:36 AM.