Nicolas Winding Refn’s ‘Maniac Cop’ Remake to Receive Wide Theatrical Release via MUBI — Starts Shooting in January

An update on a project that’s been dormant for well over a decade: Nicolas Winding Refn’s remake of “Maniac Cop” is apparently eyeing a January 2027 shoot. MUBI has acquired the film, which is set for a wide theatrical rollout.

“The concept has always appealed to me,” Refn said in a statement. “In today’s political and social climate, the iconography of ‘Maniac Cop’ alone provokes an immediate, uneasy reaction. I’ve been watching it all unfold while constructing this project in the shadows… waiting. Now, that moment has finally arrived.”

Refn and “Maniac Cop” seem like a good match. After all, the original already leans into many of Refn’s hallmarks: neon-soaked visuals, stylized violence, and an almost mythic central figure.

Originally developed as a feature before being reshaped into an HBO series, the latest reimagining of the 1988 cult slasher is now back in development as a theatrical film. At one point, the project had John Hyams (“Sick,” “Alone”) attached to direct from a script by comic-book heavyweight Ed Brubaker (“The Winter Soldier”), with Refn producing.

The original “Maniac Cop” follows a string of brutal murders in New York City seemingly carried out by a uniformed police officer, with suspicion falling on young cop Jack Forrest after his wife is killed. Lieutenant Frank McCrae is tasked with investigating the growing body count and begins to suspect a deeper conspiracy within the department.

What’s even more surprising about this development is that Refn, who hasn’t released a feature film in ten years, has just premiered a new movie at Cannes: “Her Private Hell,” starring Sophie Thatcher in the lead role.

In a recent interview with Deadline, Refn revealed that he had a near-death experience three years ago after undergoing heart surgery and being clinically dead for 20 minutes. The ordeal profoundly changed the filmmaker, inspiring him to commit to making more films. He also opened up about the experience during the Cannes premiere and again at a festival press conference the following day, where he became emotional and broke down in tears.

Refn’s last feature, “The Neon Demon” (2016), divided audiences with its dreamlike, body-horror aesthetic. His most notable works include “Drive,” “Bronson,” and the “Pusher” trilogy.