Although it’s doubtful Prime Video will remake two classic Morgan Freeman films as series, the idea still holds promise. Prime Video has had significant success adapting popular book series for streaming, with Reacher being a prime example. Since debuting in 2022, the action thriller has been critically acclaimed and a hit with viewers. Following this success, Prime Video has continued with similar projects like the planned 2026 series Scarpetta, and another major crime thriller show.
Aldis Hodge stars as Alex Cross, a skilled but troubled forensic psychologist and detective, in the new series based on James Patterson’s novels. Set in Washington D.C., the show follows Cross as he grapples with the murder of his wife while navigating corruption within the police department and pursuing dangerous criminals. As he investigates increasingly complex cases, Cross finds himself with no one to rely on. While Hodge is the latest actor to take on the role, Morgan Freeman first portrayed Alex Cross in the films Kiss the Girls (1997) and Along Came a Spider (2001).
Prime Video’s Cross Could Adapt Kiss the Girls And Along Came a Spider (Again)
Morgan Freeman portrayed detective Alex Cross in Kiss the Girls, a fast-paced thriller based on James Patterson’s second book featuring the character. Interestingly, the sequel, Along Came a Spider, was actually based on the first Alex Cross novel. While both films received somewhat negative reviews, they’ve since become popular favorites. Many critics pointed out that Kiss the Girls successfully captured the feel of a classic 1990s serial killer thriller, similar in tone to movies like Copycat, The Bone Collector, Fallen, and Freeman’s earlier film, Se7en.
Just as the Reacher series didn’t use the novels already adapted into Tom Cruise films, it’s unlikely the popular Cross series on Prime Video will adapt those same books, even if the show continues for many seasons. There are plenty of other Cross novels that haven’t been adapted at all, so the show’s creators don’t need to revisit those earlier adaptations. However, revisiting those two books could actually be a smart move for the series.
Prime Video’s Cross Re-Adapting These Morgan Freeman Movies Could Be A Good Idea
The popularity of serial killer thrillers in the 1990s led to changes in the film adaptations of Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider. This created an opportunity for the Cross adaptation to be more true to James Patterson’s novels, focusing less on horror. Additionally, the portrayal of detective Alex Cross by Hodge allowed for a more emotionally involved character compared to Morgan Freeman’s more reserved depiction.
While Morgan Freeman’s portrayals of Alex Cross in Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider are interesting and both films are enjoyable for fans of 90s thrillers, they haven’t become truly iconic. This makes them ripe for a fresh adaptation. Considering it’s been 25 to 29 years since those movies were released – a much longer gap than the recent Jack Reacher films – Prime Video’s Cross series has a strong case for reimagining the story.
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2026-04-07 00:41