Prime Video's 'Sex Criminals' Casts Its Stars: The Ultimate Heist Ability Activated?
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Prime Video has cast Imogen Poots and John Reynolds as the leads in its long-awaited series adaptation of Image Comics' *Sex Criminals*, where a couple discovers they can freeze time with orgasms to rob banks. Developed by Kumail Nanjiani and team, the eight-episode season brings Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky's unique story to life.
Right, fair dinkum, mates, Prime Video is cooking up something that sounds like it was dreamt up during a particularly unhinged game jam. We've just heard from IGN South Africa, big thanks to Jesse Schedeen for the intel, that the adaptation of Image Comics' *Sex Criminals* has finally snagged its lead players: Imogen Poots and John Reynolds.
Now, before you go "what in the bloody hell is this all about?" and think I've accidentally spilled reality-altering potion on my keyboard, let me give you the lowdown on the *lore*, if you will. Our protagonists, Suzie and Jon, are lovers with a very... *specific* superpower. They can freeze time. But here's the kicker: it only happens when they orgasm. And what do these enterprising individuals do with this most intimate of ultimate abilities? They rob banks, naturally. Because, well, why wouldn't you? It's the kind of high-level strategic thinking I can almost get behind, albeit with a healthy dose of "don't try this at home" caveats.
Poots, who you might know from *Vivarium*, and Reynolds from *Seekers of Infinite Love*, are stepping into these rather unique roles. And they're not alone on this quest; the series is being developed by a dream team including Kumail Nanjiani, Emily V. Gordon, and Tze Chun, with Nanjiani himself also set to pop up on screen. Prime Video's already greenlit an eight-episode first season, so we're getting a decent chunk of this time-bending caper.
This isn't some fly-by-night operation, mind you. The comic, penned by the legendary Matt Fraction and brought to life visually by the brilliant Chip Zdarsky (seriously, Zdarsky's art is just *chef's kiss*), has been a cult favorite for yonks. IGN's Melissa Grey even pegged *Sex Criminals #1* back in 2013 as "remarkably relatable" and a blend of "action adventure, part touching coming of age drama, all with a healthy amount of wry humor." So it’s not just about the wacky premise; there’s some genuine heart and cleverness in there, I reckon.
And if you're thinking, "haven't I heard about this before?", you'd be right, mate. This adaptation has been simmering in what I like to call "dev hell" for over a decade, first popping onto our radar back in 2015. It's a bit like a highly anticipated game that keeps getting pushed back, but finally, *finally*, we're getting a release date!
It’s a testament to the creators' enduring brilliance too. Fraction's currently busy revamping the Batman/Joker dynamic for DC, and Zdarsky's wielding the pen for *Captain America* and the upcoming *Avengers: Armageddon*. So yeah, these folks know how to spin a yarn.
Will Prime Video capture the truly bizarre, hilarious, and surprisingly poignant spirit of the comic? It’s a huge ask, but with such a unique premise and some seriously talented people at the helm, I'm cautiously optimistic. It’s certainly a game-changer for... well, for bank heists, at the very least. Definitely one to keep an eye on for anyone who appreciates storytelling that dares to blow a hole through convention.
*Original reporting by Jesse Schedeen for IGN South Africa, which you can check out over
Tags: Streaming Series, Comic Adaptations, Gaming Culture, Narrative Innovation, Pop Culture
Original article: IGN South Africa