Michael Mann Will Direct HBO Max’s TOKYO VICE Pilot

You might recall that, earlier this year, Warner announced it was developing a Tokyo Vice series for its forthcoming streaming platform (which, as we know now, is called HBO Max). The show, based on Jake Adelstein's memoir of the same name, would follow Adelstein (here played by Ansel Elgort) as he sinks deeper and deeper into the neon-lit underbelly of Tokyo while covering the criminals and beat cops who inhabit it. 

Well, we hadn't heard anything on that project since, but today brings an interesting update: Michael Mann, noted director of such films as Heat, Manhunter and Miami Vice, will direct the show's pilot. Furthermore, the indication seems to be that he'd be more than welcome to direct further episodes of the series, should he have the desire to do so.

Michael Mann tackling Tokyo Vice is about as good an outcome as anyone could hope for here, and we're sure he'll do well with it! We're also excited to hear that Ken Watanabe has joined the cast! As for Ansel Elgort playing this role, well, we're honestly having trouble imagining Elgort as a rough-around-the-edges investigative reporter, much less one who might feasibly be drawn into a high-stakes game of cat and mouse with both criminals and police officers, but who knows? We're curious enough about the rest of this to give Tokyo Vice its day in court whenever it arrives on HBO Max. Of course, there's no word on when that might be, but we'll be there when it rolls around.

Nothing further to report at this time, but do stay tuned for more on Tokyo Vice as further updates become available.