Hot off a win for Best Supporting Actor at the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards,BurningstarSteven Yeunhas been tapped to star in an episode ofJordan Peele’s revival ofThe Twilight Zoneat CBS All Access, Collider has exclusively learned.
Sources say that Yeun will play the title character in the series' fourth episode “The Traveler,” which follows two cops and a mysterious traveler. Peele will serve as host and narrator of the series, which his Monkeypaw Productions is producing withSimon Kinberg’s Genre Films and CBS Television Studios. Peele and Kinberg will serve as executive producers alongsideWin Rosenfeld,Audrey Chon,Rick Berg,Greg YaitanesandCarol Serling, the widow of originalTwilight ZonecreatorRod Serling, who served as host and narrator for the classic series during its 1959-64 run.
The Twilight Zonehas been revamped twice before, with a run from 1985-89 on CBS, and another in 2002-03 on UPN. Four of the original series' best-known episodes were also remade as a 1983 movie that was marked by tragedy. Peele has said in pastinterviewsthat he was initially reluctant to tackle aTwilight Zonerevival, as those are some big shoes to fill, but ultimately, he felt compelled to continue Serling’s mission because it’s a show that “has always helped us look at ourselves, hold a mirror up to society” and that’s what is “needed right now.”
It’s unclear exactly when the newTwilight Zonewill premiere on CBS All Access next year, but casting is currently underway for additional episodes, including one called “Last Shuttle” that concerns a group of astronauts dealing with a crisis.Kumail Nanjianihas already signed on to star in one episode, and the show also countsSanaa Lathan,Adam ScottandJacob Tremblayas cast members.
It has been a good year for Yeun, who in addition to delivering a mysteriously captivating performance inBurning, also co-starred inBoots Riley’s acclaimed satireSorry to Bother You. His past feature credits includeJoe Lynch’sMayhemandBong Joon-ho’sOkja. Yeun also lends his voice to several animated shows, includingTrollhuntersandVoltron: Legendary Defender, though he is likely best known for playing Glenn Rhee onThe Walking Dead. He’s represented by UTA, Gotham Group, and Principal Entertainment LA.
