1996 Adaptation by John Grisham A time to kill it was an important milestone in Matthew McConaughey’s career (even though, ultimately, his role as attorney Jake Brigance was overshadowed by a– Samuel L. Jackson). Before A time to kill, McConaughey was known primarily for playing Stunned and confusedstatutory Skeevy Wooderson, but Joel Schumacher’s legal drama opened the door to several charismatic advocate roles, Lincoln or not, for his young star, helping to leverage an now Oscar winning career, totally good.
Now, McConaughey is ready to repeat the role that helped launch that initial ascent, with Variety communicating that the Real detective star is returning to HBO for a TV adaptation of Grisham’s third film Quarrel romance A time of mercy. As with A time to kill, compassion (published last year) focuses on a legal case that does not attempt to reveal a complicated criminal mystery and much more about the circumstances of the victims and the ways in which they are perceived by the legal apparatus. In this case, that means focusing on a young man who shot and killed his mother’s deputy sheriff, claiming that the man was abusing his mother, his teenage sister and himself. To quote Grisham-ese from the book’s own synopsis: “With clients and friends abandoning Jake, he sees his practice fade away. Can he save his young client … against all odds? ” (Probably.)
No word yet on who will write or produce the series, but we have to imagine that McConaughey’s presence is likely drive a lot interest in the project.