featuring @officialslystallone
Sylvester Stallone is set to bring a thrilling new project to the small screen, adapting a well-known series of books centered on a serial killer. Partnering with Channing Powell, a producer known for her work on The Walking Dead franchise, Stallone aims to turn the series into a compelling television show.
The adaptation will be based on the 4MK novels by New York Times bestselling author J.D. Barker. Although the series comprises multiple books, the TV adaptation will primarily draw from the first three installments: The Fourth Monkey, The Fifth to Die, and The Sixth Wicked Child. These books follow Detective Sam Porter as he hunts the infamous Four Monkey Killer.
Stallone expressed his enthusiasm for the project, saying, “J.D. Barker has created a world with enormous scale, real danger, a ruthless narrative engine, and a mythology perfect for premium television. Channing Powell is a powerhouse writer and producer with a rare talent for dark, character-driven storytelling. She’s the ideal force to bring 4MK to life. This property isn’t just about watching—it’s about immersing viewers, with a series that promises to make a powerful impact globally.”
The series also has a prequel trilogy in development, with the first book, The First Scarlet Door, scheduled for release on September 22, 2026. Powell shared her excitement, stating, “What drew me to 4MK was its intensity, intelligence, and the way it keeps tightening the screws until you’re almost breathless. Beneath the suspense, it’s a story about guilt, justice, corruption, and emotional wreckage. J.D. Barker has built a bold, dangerous world that’s deeply addictive, and with Sylvester Stallone and the Balboa team’s support, we’re poised to bring this to a global audience.”
J.D. Barker describes the series as a relentless, psychologically charged ride, where each revelation has weight, secrets have a price, and characters confront their darkest selves. Stallone and the team at Balboa recognized the franchise potential in Barker’s world, and with Powell’s expertise in character and tension, the adaptation aims to leave a lasting impression.
Powell will serve as showrunner, writer, and executive producer, with Stallone and D. Matt Geller of Balboa Productions also executive producing. Christian Bersani will oversee the series’ development.
In addition to this project, Stallone has other exciting ventures, including a six-part series set in the 1930s that he will co-direct with Quentin Tarantino and his ongoing role in the series Tulsa King.
As of now, there is no announced release date for the 4MK TV series.
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