Hollywood is officially buzzing over a new Judge Dredd film in development, with Taika Waititi attached to direct and Drew Pearce set to write. The pair, longtime friends and self-professed Dredd fans, are finally teaming up on one of the most promising genre projects in recent memory.
This new adaptation of Judge Dredd is shaping up to be more than just another comic book reboot. Sources close to the project say it’s aiming for a fresh, faithful take that draws directly from the iconic British 2000 AD comics. That means expect the trademark satire, dark humor, and heavy world-building that made the original material so enduring.
Waititi, known for blending big spectacle with sharp character work in films like Thor: Ragnarok and Jojo Rabbit, seems like a natural fit for Mega-City One’s chaotic energy. Meanwhile, Pearce brings his blockbuster writing chops from Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation and The Fall Guy. Both creators grew up with Dredd comics, and the project reportedly comes from years of looking for the right story to tackle together.
This isn’t Dredd’s first time on the big screen. Sylvester Stallone starred in a 1995 version that leaned hard into spectacle but fell flat with critics and fans. The 2012 Dredd film, starring Karl Urban and written by Alex Garland, earned cult status for its gritty tone and tight storytelling—but didn’t perform well enough at the box office to spark a franchise.
This new film is being positioned as a potential launching point for a larger Dredd universe. Producers include the original rights holders from Rebellion Developments along with Vertigo Entertainment’s Roy Lee and others. The logline is still under wraps, but insiders describe it as a sci-fi blockbuster that remains grounded in today’s social commentary.
If it hits right, this could be Dredd’s long-overdue cinematic redemption—one that embraces the wild, weird, and wickedly sharp edge of the source material, while also giving fans something to get excited about in theaters and beyond.
Sources:
- Hollywood Reporter
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