In October 2019, HBO Max announced that an adaptation of DC's American civil war epic DMZ was in development with Ava DuVernay attached as director as well as producer, alongside Roberto Patino.
HBO Max has announced that the series has placed an order for the limited series, which will contain four episodes. Patino will serve as showrunner and will write all four parts of the show. Production on DMZ is scheduled to begin some time in 2021.
In a statement, Patino said, "I couldn't be more thrilled to bring this epic to the screen with my boundary-pushing partners at WBTV and HBO Max, a sublime cast led by Rosario and Benjamin, and my partner and friend, the inimitable and ever-inspiring Ava DuVernay." He added, "DMZ offers up an explosive playground which, more than anything else, exalts the resilience of community and the human spirit. I can’t wait to welcome the die-hard fans of the comic books and new viewers alike to this intoxicating, haunting and inspiring world." DuVernay is set to direct DMZ's pilot episode and produce through Array Filmworks in collaboration with Warner Bros. TV."
The comic book series, published through DC's Vertigo imprint, ran from 2005 to 2012 and was written by Brian Wood with artwork by Wood and Riccardo Burchielli. Set in the future, DMZ revolved around a second American civil war between the United States of America and the secessionist forces of the Free States of America. The two sides maintain a tenuous peace on the island of Manhattan, where they have established a DMZ.
"DMZ's unflinching story of a country torn apart resonates eerily and profoundly amid our current state of the union," said Sarah Aubrey, head of original content, HBO Max. "With the powerhouse visionary team of Ava and Roberto at the helm, bringing this critically acclaimed DC gem to life promises to entertain and inspire hope."
In the near future, America is embroiled in a bitter civil war, leaving Manhattan a demilitarized zone (DMZ), destroyed and isolated from the rest of the world. Leaping off the pages of the popular comic, "DMZ" chronicles the harrowing journey of fearless and fierce medic Alma Ortega (series star Rosario Dawson), who sets out on a harrowing journey to find the son she lost in the evacuation of New York City at the onset of the conflict. Throwing gasoline on the flames of that conflict is Parco Delgado (series star Benjamin Bratt), the popular — and deadly — leader of one of the most powerful gangs in the DMZ. He wants to rule this new world — and will stop at nothing to secure that outcome. In this adrenalized and expansive drama which examines a stark political and cultural divide in American society, Alma must contend with the gangs, militias, demagogues and warlords that control this lawless no man’s land. In doing so, she becomes the unlikely source of what everyone here has lost…hope.
Directed by Ava DuVernay and written by Roberto Patino, DMZ stars Rosario Dawson, Benjamin Bratt, Hoon Lee, Freddy Miyares and Jordan Preston Carter. A premiere date has not yet been officially announced.
Source: HBO Max