Apple TV recently approved and announced a TV show based on a book by Dennis Tafoya called Dope Thief. The show sees two fake DEA agents trying to use their fake badges to rob a house. Things take an awful turn when the house they try to rob turns out to be involved in a massive narcotics racket.
The show is still in its production stage, and the first episode is to be directed by Ridley Scott, who will find himself in the executive producer position once the first episode is done and dusted. The show titled Sinking Spring is already in the headlines, and not necessarily for the right reasons. Recently, famous actor Michael Mando was fired from the show after it had issues with a co-actor. So what’s going on with Sinking Spring?
Mando And Moura
It was announced that Wagner Moura, the star of Narcos, will be replacing Michael Mando as Manny Cespedes after Mando had an altercation with a co-actor on set. Following his conflict, the actor was promptly fired from the film, with Moura all set to replace him. Cespedes is a key character as he is one of the two friends who pose as DEA agents to rob the house.
The other friend, Ray, will be played by Brian Tyree Henry. The actor is known for his range since he has played many characters, both serious and comedic. He is known for his roles in This is Us, Bullet Train, Godzilla Vs. Kong, and Marvel’s Eternals. The two stars will now work on their chemistry to play the duo in the show.
While representatives for Apple hold their silence, sources suggest that producers attempted to smoothen out the edges and solve the issue between Mando and the unnamed co-actor. However, the Better Call Saul star was ultimately fired from the show as it seemed like the best solution to the problem.
Mando is known for his range and capacity. The actor has cameoed in Marvel’s first Spiderman film starring Tom Holland. He was meant to play Scorpion, but so far, Marvel hasn’t acted on the idea.
He also played the incredible role of Nacho Varga, the intimidating but sensible gangster who was caught in cartel wars. Mando hasn’t had a career where a lot of complaints were given out about him. However, that seems to have changed for this one time.
Producers and Writers
Apple decided to make a series out of the story back last August. Top Gun: Maverick writer Peter Craig was called on board to pen the script of the film, with Ridley Scott’s production house working for the film as well. Peter Craig has previously worked on great films like last year’s brilliant film The Batman starring Robert Pattinson as the masked vigilante and The Town. Sinking Spring marks Craig’s first TV show. He will remain in his position as the writer for the whole season of eight episodes, and he will also executive produce the show. Brian Tyree Henry also works on Atlanta, which is all set for its final season. Henry will also be an executive producer for the show along with original writer Tafoya who will act as a consulting producer. Here’s a part of the synopsis from the original book:
Ray and his best friend, Manny, close ever since they met in juvie almost twenty years ago, have a great scam going: With a couple of fake badges and some DEA windbreakers they found at a secondhand store, they pose as federal agents and rip off small-time drug dealers, taking their money and drugs and disappearing before anyone is the wiser.
