Bill Paxton to Star in ‘Training Day’ Pilot for CBS

Bill Paxton will star in CBS’ “Training Day” pilot, Variety has learned.

Paxton will play Frank Rourke, a veteran LAPD cop who leads the Special Investigation Section, in the TV sequel to the 2001 film starring Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke. Washington earned an Oscar for his leading role.

Paxton’s character “lives by the law of the jungle” and isn’t too happy about being appointed mentor to a new trainee, Kyle Craig, who’s still uncast. Meanwhile, the young African-American police officer struggles to get along with his commanding officer.

The TV reimagining picks up 15 years after the events of the Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures film.

Danny Cannon will direct the pilot, which is being penned by Will Beall (“Castle”), an exec producer on the series and a former LAPD detective.

The original “Training Day” movie’s director, Antoine Fuqua, will exec produce the show alongside Jerry Bruckheimer and Jonathan Littman (“CSI” franchise).

“Rush Hour” and “Limitless” are two other film-to-TV adaptations on CBS.

Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Paxton most recently had a recurring role on ABC’s “Agents of SHIELD.” He starred in HBO’s “Big Love” and the History miniseries “Hatfields & McCoys” and “Texas Rising.”