William Friedkin May Be In The Mix For True Detective Season 2

Most of the internet buzz about HBO’s upcoming second season of the hit crime anthology series True Detective has focused on which actors will be taking on the lead roles, but I’m personally just as interested in finding out which director will be taking over for Cary Fukunaga this time around. We haven’t heard very much on that front at all, but now news has emerged that Killer Joe filmmaker William Friedkin is at least intrigued by the possibility of directing.

Speaking with The Playlist at the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, where he received an honorary award, Friedkin played coy about the possibility that he could be eyeing the directorial gig for season two of True Detective. When asked if he’d snatch the job should HBO and creator Nic Pizzollatto come a-calling, Friedkin said:

“I am considering it. I like this writer [Nic Pizzolatto] very much. I’ve met him, and he’s the real deal as far as I’m concerned. Now, all the new seasons are different so I’m not committed—this new season has nothing to do with the last one. Except for him and his sensibility, which I think is extraordinary.”

Luckily, The Playlist saw fit to push Friedkin for more on whether he’s in competition for the gig:

“I’m… I can’t say much more at this time. But I’m a fan of his writing, even though this will not be a continuation of what was done before with [Matthew] McConaughey [with whom obviously Friedkin has a relationship after ‘Killer Joe’] and Woody Harrelson. So what you can say is I’m a huge fan of his writing, I’ve met with him, I like him, I like the direction he’s taking with this.”

That hesitation suggests that Friedkin may at least be in consideration by someone in True Detective‘s camp, which is very exciting news indeed. Pizzollato has stated in the past that the tight production schedule for the second season may necessitate bringing in multiple directors, but however many episodes Friedkin ends up helming, his involvement would surely be a great thing for the series.

True Detective is tentatively set to return in January of 2015, so we should hear something more official soon enough, both about the leads and the directors involved with the series’ second season.