Among the many film-to-television projects currently being lined up for broadcast is perhaps one variation that hasn't got as much publicity as one might have imagined. From Dusk Till Dawn (1996) was, of course, the cult vampire movie created by Robert Rodriguez and which starred the likes of George Clooney, Harvey Keitel, Julliete Lewis, Salma Hayek, Danny Trejo and one Quentin Tarantino. Not for the squeamish, its story, cast and location-work (the main bar being the infamous Titty-Twister) left little to the imagination and was a grand-guignol outing, with its tongue firmly in bloody cheek.
Filming got underway this week on the spin-off series in Austin, Texas. It will be initially broadcast as a English-language drama on America's El Rey network and has ten episodes scheduled for its 2014 run. The story will reintroduce the violent, criminal siblings Seth Gecko ( to be played by DJ Cotrona, taking over from Clooney) and Richie ( Zane Holtz taking the Tarantino role). They are being furiously pursued by a Texas Ranger to be played by Jesse Garcia. Naturally some creatures of the night are about to make that pursuit very interesting and extremely dangerous.
Industry site Deadline also reports that Don Johnson will be play the role of Sheriff Earl McGraw in a recurring capacity.
Beyond the actual talent in front of the camera, it's just as interesting to note who will be BEHIND the lens. Rodriguez himself returns to direct the first two episodes (also writing the pilot) and may return for a third later in the run. Quentin Tarantino will direct a mid-season episode, as will another original star, Salma Hayek. The series is being overseen by respected executive producer Juan Carlos Coto (also known for his work on the likes of 24, NCIS, Heroes, Nikita, The Pretender and the much under-rated Journeyman).
The original film produced several sequels - not directly connected to the current project - so it will be interesting to see if the tv screen can recapture the original anarchic vein of bloody action...
