‘CHiPS’ Movie Headed to the Big Screen with Dax Shepard and Michael Pena
Looks like Warner Bros. is hoping they can replicate the success Columbia had with '21 Jump Street' with a small-to-big screen reboot of their own: the studio has hired Dax Shepard to write, direct, and star in a film version of the classic cop series 'CHiPS,' and he's bringing Michael Pena along for the ride.
Deadline reports that Shepard has been tapped to revive 'CHiPS' for the big screen, given the duties of writer, director, and star, with Michael Pena serving as his co-star. The film is based on the classic hit NBC series of the same name which ran from 1977 to 1983, and followed two motorcycle cops in California as they hit the pavement to stop crime on a weekly basis.
Shepard will take the role of Officer Jon Baker originated by Larry Wilcox, while Pena will play the part of -- you guessed it -- Frank Poncherello (aka "Ponch"), originally played by Erik Estrada.
While most big screen versions of classic TV shows have been largely comedic ('Starsky and Hutch,' '21 Jump Street'), this new adaptation of 'CHiPS' is said to be more action-heavy. Shepard does have some experience mixing action and comedy, as he recently wrote and directed the indie 'Hit and Run,' which co-starred his wife, Kristen Bell.