It's not paranoia if they're really after you. That was the simple tagline for Tony Scott's 1998 espionage thriller, Enemy of the State, and nobody could have ever predicted the relevance those words would have for the modern age. Domestic surveillance has become a major topic of conversation in the years since the film hit theaters, and now it seems that growing interest in the subject is leading ABC to sign on for an Enemy of the State sequel.
A new report from Deadline indicates that ABC has officially ordered a pilot for a potential Enemy of the State series. Although we currently have very few concrete details regarding the upcoming project, we do know that it take place two decades after the events of the original 1998 Will Smith adventure -- thus making it a sequel, rather than a beat-for-beat adaptation. The pilot will revolve around a lawyer, an FBI agent, and an NSA operative whose lives become intertwined in a global conspiracy following a leak of classified information at the highest level of government. This means that the events of the original film still occurred within this universe, and will continue to hold influence over the events of the pilot. Think Limitless, rather than Lethal Weapon.
For those of you that have not seen Enemy of the State, allow us to get you up to speed. The 1998 espionage thriller centers on a young lawyer (Will Smith) who is forced to go on the run and team-up with an FBI agent (Gene Hackman) when he finds himself embroiled in an NSA conspiracy to kill a United States Congressman, as well as the ensuing cover-up. A thriller in the purest sense, Enemy of the State would eventually go on to become a hit after its release, garnering generally positive reviews and roughly $250 million at the worldwide box office. Ultimately, the film is remembered for its hard-hitting look at domestic surveillance, and for helping solidify Will Smith's status as a genuine dramatic actor.
Given the subject matter that Enemy of the State deals with, a renewed interest in the property doesn't necessarily surprise us. Although the original movie hit theaters in 1998, the concepts that it tackled continue to feel oddly prescient. The idea of domestic surveillance, and Orwellian themes of government overreach have become incredibly hot topics in recent years -- particularly with high profile cases like Edward Snowden. If successful, the Enemy of the State pilot could eventually transition into an actual series that deals with these concepts on a consistent basis. One thing is absolutely certain: Enemy of the State's subject matter will undoubtedly lead to polarized opinions among members of the audience.
CinemaBlend will keep you posted with any and all relevant updates related to the upcoming Enemy of the State pilot as new details become available to us. For now you can check out our comprehensive fall TV premiere guide for more information related to all of the most highly anticipated upcoming television debuts.
