Amazon’s upcoming Criminal is another example of a global e-commerce leader taking the acquisition route.
While Netflix and Hulu streaming platforms around the world grapple with often-failed original content, Amazon is acquiring the popular rival.
Therefore, the popular comic series “Crime” with an independent storyline is about to be released.
When most people hear the word “comics,” they picture superheroes soaring through the sky in tight-fitting costumes.
Crime, however, belongs to an entirely different category of comics, one that explores realistic themes and narratives.
In this case, it’s the fictional universe of Central City in the 1970s.
RELATED: Are the Marvel and DC Universes about to call it quits?
As the name suggests, the original story (Volume 1) follows pickpocket thief Leo Patterson, whom the creators of the comic call a coward. If nothing else, this will be an interesting character study, to say the least.
Amazon has a ton of content to draw from, including multi-volumes, semi-spinoffs, anniversary specials, and special editions.
Much of what’s out there doesn’t revolve around Leo Patterson, so it’ll be interesting to see where the show ultimately goes, assuming it’s successful.
Amazon’s “Criminal” isn’t coming to the small screen anytime soon, though.
So it’s anyone’s guess as to how the show will turn out and whether it will be a success. In the meantime, this is what we know for sure.
What will “Criminal Crime” be about?
At least so far, it looks like Amazon’s Crime will follow the storyline of the original series, which was released in October 2006.
We know this because of casting announcements related to the characters in the comics.
With Leo Patterson in conversation, Season 1 should cover his character arc.
However, it’s important to remember that there are several independent storylines within the crime world, and Leo Patterson isn’t always the focus.
Is it possible that Amazon could tell the story of a later volume? certainly.
But Leo looks to be the main character, which ties back to the first season.
In the comics, Leo is a criminal prodigy capable of devising complex tactics on the fly, at least when it comes to scoring.
He was also known for being timid.
From the beginning, Leo quit the big show due to the failure of his job 5 years ago.
He’s basically a local pickpocket who takes care of an Alzheimer’s patient who’s abusing heroin (which should make for an interesting role).
There has to be an inciting incident to kick things off, and eventually Leo is convinced to team up to pull off some armored car thefts, with over $5 million at stake.
After all, Amazon was heavily criticized for going in the wrong direction with The Wheel of Time and Ring of Power, misunderstanding one and completely abandoning the source material for the other.
As a result, the ratings for the second season of “Wheel of Time” dropped by 60%, and only 37% of viewers were willing to watch the first season of “Ring of Power”.
How many episodes are there in “Criminal”?
As of now, the number of episodes of “Criminal” has not yet been determined, and filming has not yet begun.
However, Ashes to Earth, Wheel of Time, and Ring of Power all started with eight-episode seasons, so it stands to reason that Crime will start the same way.
RELATED: Tell Me Lies Season 2: Premiere Date, First Look Images and Everything We Know So Far
There are very few new series with more than 10 episodes.
Gone are the days when even the best shows had 20-plus episodes a season.
Ratings models, the existence of a streaming platform model that relies on compression rather than expansion, ballooning budgets, and various network strategies have resulted in fewer episodes.
Is there a trailer for Amazon’s Criminals?
With filming still weeks or months away, Criminal doesn’t have a trailer — just speculation, innuendo and gossip.
There was a time when small screen projects didn’t have trailers, just small ads based on a mix of Internet and other ads currently on TV screens.
Luckily, times are changing, and trailers for upcoming shows are almost as common as their upcoming theatrical releases.
A crime trailer isn’t expected until 2025.
The actors and creative team behind “Crime”
One of the latest cast members to be announced is Charlie Hunnam, who will replace Leo Patterson.
However, he’s not the only actor and the quality of the rest of the cast is adding to the show’s appeal.
- Charlie Hunnam (Sons of Anarchy)
- Alia Camacho (Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness)
- Richard Jenkins (Six Feet Under)
- Pat Healy (Better Call Saul)
- Gus Halper (Fear the Walking Dead)
- Khadim Hardison (Another World)
- Tyler Seiler (“Law & Order: Organized Crime”)
- Adria Arjona (Andorra)
- Michael Mando (Better Call Saul)
- John Hawkes (“True Detective” and “Deadwood”)
- Logan Browning (Dear White People)
- Luke Evans (“Alien” and “Dracula Untold”)
- Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones)
The additions of Emilia Clarke, Luke Evans and Charlie Hunnam bring real star power and recognition to this talented team.
RELATED: Pitt: Everything We Know So Far About Max’s Medical Drama
Key showrunners have also been confirmed, including Ed Brubaker (writer of the original comic book series) and Jordan Harper. Ed Brubaker may not be a household name, but he’s one of the creative minds behind The Winter Soldier, Westworld, and Batman the Caped Crusader.
Jordan Harper is the more experienced of the two, having filmed The Mentalist, High Town, Gotham and She Rides Shotgun (She Rides Shotgun).
When will “Criminal” premiere?
Unfortunately, there’s no way to know exactly when Amazon’s The Offender will premiere, as there’s no trailer and no movie times in the book. Sometime in 2025 is a pretty safe bet.
Of course, it doesn’t say much. After all, “sometime” in 2025 is just a 365-day guess.
However, given the filming process for the 8-episode series, the comparable histories of the shows on Amazon, and the low likelihood of needing a lot of large CG, the premiere date won’t be beyond 2025.
However, things happen all the time, like the pandemic and the recent writers’ strike.
It’s always a good idea to hope for the best and prepare for the worst, especially if you’re super excited for the premiere.
Is Amazon’s “Criminal” on your must-see list?
Let us know in the comments whether you’re looking forward to it or not, and what you’re excited to see in the near future!
