Deadline have reported that Starz are adding to their drama output (following Spartacus, Camelot, Torchwood and the recently announced Boss and Magic City), with assassin drama Noir. Produced by Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, Noir is a live-action adaptation of a 26-part Japanese anime from 2001, concerning two female assassins who realize they're mysteriously connected and join forces to defeat a secret society called "Les Soldats". The pilot has been written by Steven Lightfoot (Criminal Justice).
It's interesting to see Starz step up its game recently, with some promising commissions. I'm already a huge fan of Spartacus, Torchwood: Miracle Day hopefully won't disappoint fans, I liked aspects of Camelot, the recent teaser for Boss looked great, and Magic City sounds interesting. However, Noir's premise doesn't fill me with optimism. The female assassin subgenre's very well-trodden turf, and I wasn't a fan of those cheesy Raimi/Tapert-produced shows like Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess, so hope this isn't in a similar vein.
Still, the fact it's based on anime could be interesting, if they're going to echo that style. Otherwise, hasn't Noir already been made for TV with the current Nikita series, minus the mystery element? The show's premise alone has me immediately predicting the secret society brainwashed both assassins, but they escaped the program, blah-blah-blah... am I right?
What do you think? Are you a big fan of the Raimi/Tapert oeuvre? Have you seen the original Noir animation? Is it good? Any thoughts on Starz's drama commissions just lately?
