Maniac Cop is returning to the big screen with a new remake in development. The cult-favorite franchise has taken another step toward its comeback with the unveiling of a new logo for the film.
Nicolas Winding Refn, who is directing the new Maniac Cop film, shared an Instagram post on August 31, revealing the movie’s new logo. The teaser art showcases a grainy nighttime photograph of palm trees silhouetted against the dark horizon, with what appears to be Los Angeles in the background.
The title card, “MANIAC COP,” appears on top in a red-and-white jagged font, with “by NWR” written underneath. The image appears to have been taken on August 16, 2026, based on the date displayed on it. Refn did not add any caption and tagged Mubi and his byNWR Instagram page in the post.
Maniac Cop brings its cult horror legacy back to the screen
A new Maniac Cop project was first announced at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival with John Hyams as director. Three years later, a television series was announced as being developed with HBO and Canal+ and produced by Nicolas Winding Refn’s NWR Originals, which was eventually scrapped.
Refn has now resurrected the project as a feature film with Mubi. The popular filmmaker has previously directed acclaimed movies like Drive (2011) and The Neon Demon (2016).
The original Maniac Cop (1988) by William Lustig is a slasher horror flick that follows a seemingly unstoppable killer who targets civilians and police officers and embarks on a deadly quest for revenge. Whether Refn’s remake will follow the original film’s plotline remains unclear. However, the director will undoubtedly put his own spin on the cult horror.
Refn reportedly began shooting the film in Los Angeles in January. For now, there has been no announcement regarding the cast.
“In today’s political and social climate, the iconography of Maniac Cop alone provokes an immediate, uneasy reaction,” Refn said in a statement. “I’ve been watching it all unfold while constructing this project in the shadows… waiting. Now, that moment has finally arrived. The time has come to unveil a radical new vision where there is no protection, no safety net, only mayhem.” (via Deadline)
A release date for Maniac Cop has not yet been announced.
Originally reported by Namrata Ghosh on ComingSoon.net.
