David Harbour Considered for Kane & Lynch Film Before Stranger Things and Thunderbolts

A cinematic adaptation of the 2007 Kane & Lynch game, created by IO Interactive, known for Hitman, was in development for years, with numerous Hollywood stars linked to the project at various stages.

This week, Nobody 2 director Timo Tjahjanto shared on social media that he had drafted a concept for the Kane & Lynch film featuring David Harbour, known for playing Jim Hopper in Stranger Things and Red Guardian in Thunderbolts*/New Avengers.

"I never saw a full script, but a few years back when the project was still generating buzz, I wrote a brief treatment envisioning James Badge Dale and David Harbour in the lead roles," Tjahjanto posted. "It never moved forward."

Tjahjanto may find some comfort in knowing his treatment—a preliminary document outlining a film’s concept for studio consideration—was one of many Kane & Lynch movie ideas that never came to fruition.

For years, Bruce Willis and Jamie Foxx were attached to the project, but both exited as the script underwent multiple revisions.

Later, another iteration of the film was reportedly set to feature Gerard Butler and Vin Diesel in the starring roles, but this version also failed to materialize.

Following a lackluster sequel, 2010’s Kane & Lynch: Dog Days, IO Interactive shifted its focus entirely to the Hitman franchise, stepping away from the Kane & Lynch series.