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Writer Dennis Lehane revealed at an Apple TV+ premiere that the late Ray Liotta’s character, the new thriller “Black Bird,” was written especially for him.
Prior to streaming from July 8, 2022, Apple TV+ has held a red carpet premiere event for “Black Bird.” The show’s cast and crew also paid tribute to Ray Liotta, who died shortly after filming.
“He meant everything to us,” said writer and showrunner Dennis Lehane Variety† “I wrote the part for him, it was my dream to work with him.”
“He was pretty much advertised,” Lehane continued. “He lifted all the boats and he never gave the same take twice. He was a complete, accomplished professional.”
“He was there to work. And when he died, it was difficult because our last conversation three weeks earlier was about what we were going to do next,” the writer said. “We just hope that at least the legacy lives on through this performance.”
Co-star Greg Kinnear said Liotta was “a great actor and a great person”.
“Listen, I’d say he was great no matter what — I mean he could have read the phone book in this thing and I’d say he’s awesome,” Kinnear continued, “but I really think he’s extraordinary in a way that’s going to knock people out.”
Formerly in development as In with the Devil, Black Bird is based on the true story of a young man sentenced to 10 years in prison. Jimmy Keene (Taron Egerton) is given a choice to radically reduce his sentence when he befriends suspected serial killer Larry Hall (Paul Walter Hauser).
Hauser wore a T-shirt to the premiere that featured “Shoeless Joe Jackson,” the character Ray Liotta played in “Field of Dreams.”
The first two episodes of “Black Bird” will stream from July 7. The other four are released weekly on Fridays.