As classic movies of yesteryear continue to be explored further for the small screen, now comes word that a Chinatown prequel series is on the way.

Via Deadline, Netflix is developing a prequel offering that will be created by original Chinatown writer Robert Towne and the ever-brilliant David Fincher (Mindhunter, Fight Club, Seven, Zodiac).

Towne and Fincher will be writing the series, with Fincher also to serve as executive producer alongside Josh Donen. While not confirmed, there’s hope that Fincher will step behind the camera to direct the pilot episode of the series.

This won’t be the first collaboration between David Fincher and Netflix, of course, with the genre favourite having worked with the on-demand streaming service on Mindhunter, House of Cards, and Love, Death & Robots – not to mention being attached to direct Netflix’s Herman J. Mankiewicz biopic, Mank.

This to-be-titled prequel series will centre on a younger version of the Jake Gittes character played by Jack Nicholson in the 1974 movie and its 1990 follow-up. Here, young Jake will start to dip his toes into the world of Los Angeles corruption and gangs.

Directed by Roman Polanski, Chinatown is viewed as one of the most iconic movies of the 1970s, and the neo-noire thriller nabbed Robert Towne an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. As mentioned, that picture would eventually get a sequel in the form of 1990’s The Two Jakes – a film that saw Jack Nicholson on directing duties.

As ever, expect more on this Chinatown prequel series as it continues to develop.