Paramount Taps Cretton to Direct 'Hawaii Five-O' Movie

Paramount Pictures is officially developing a feature film adaptation of the classic police procedural "Hawaii Five-O." Destin Daniel Cretton has been tapped to direct the project, marking his return to feature filmmaking after the significant global box office success of his recent directorial work. The screenplay for the "Hawaii Five-O" movie is being written by Chris Bremner, known for his work on "Bad Boys for Life." Specific plot details for the new film are being kept under wraps as it is in the early stages of development.

Cretton's involvement follows the extraordinary theatrical run of "Spider-Man: Brand New Day," which he directed. This Marvel blockbuster achieved substantial financial success, earning $924 million USD domestically and accumulating a global total of $2.4 billion USD. This performance positions "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" as one of the highest-grossing domestic releases in history, a trajectory that also mirrors the success of his previous directorial effort, "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings." The studio's decision to bring Cretton on board for "Hawaii Five-O" suggests a desire to leverage his proven ability to helm commercially successful large-scale productions.

The "Hawaii Five-O" franchise has a long and storied history in television. The original series was created by Leonard Freeman and first premiered in 1968. It achieved considerable longevity, becoming the longest-running police drama on American television by the time its original run concluded in 1980. The show was widely recognized for popularizing the iconic catchphrase "Book 'em, Danno." This enduring legacy led to a revival of the franchise by CBS in 2010. The modern reboot ran for ten seasons and was anchored by a cast including Alex O’Loughlin, Scott Caan, Daniel Dae Kim, and Grace Park, offering a contemporary take on the classic law enforcement premise.

This new feature film represents the latest attempt by Paramount Pictures to translate the popular "Hawaii Five-O" television property to the big screen. While the original series ran for 12 seasons, concluding in 1980, and the subsequent reboot ran for 10 seasons, concluding in 2020, a theatrical film adaptation has not been a consistent presence. The studio's commitment to developing this project with a director of Cretton's recent commercial caliber indicates a significant investment in revitalizing the franchise for a new cinematic era. The involvement of Chris Bremner as screenwriter further suggests a focus on crafting a compelling narrative that can appeal to both existing fans and new audiences.