Steven Caple Jr., known for his work on Creed II and The Land, took the helm for the first two episodes of Netflix's inaugural season of Man on Fire, a crucial role in establishing the series' distinctive tone, pace, and aesthetic. This adaptation expands on A.J. Quinnell’s five-book series, previously brought to the screen in Tony Scott’s 2004 film starring Denzel Washington. In this new iteration, Emmy Award winner Yahya Abdul-Mateen II portrays John Creasy, a Special Forces mercenary grappling with severe PTSD after losing his entire team on a mission. The narrative explores Creasy's path towards redemption, aided by a longtime friend, only for him to be drawn back into conflict following a devastating attack. The series also features a notable cast including Bobby Cannavale, Billie Boullet, Alice Braga, and Scoot McNairy.

Caple Jr. delved into the meticulous process of crafting the show's visual and thematic identity. He expressed a strong desire for authenticity, which led the production to shoot extensively in Brazil, specifically in locations like Rocinha, the favelas. The commitment to realism extended to casting real Brazilian actors and navigating language barriers to ensure the world felt genuine and unpolished, mirroring Creasy's own disorientation in a foreign land. He aimed to immerse the audience, creating a moody aesthetic with strategic use of shadows, while also paying homage to Tony Scott's directorial style through techniques like extreme close-ups during emotional moments.

A significant aspect that drew Caple Jr. to the project was the exploration of John Creasy's mental health. The series carefully portrays Creasy's suicidal ideation in Episode 1, a delicate subject that resonated personally with the director due to a friend's suicide. He emphasized the importance of depicting this struggle authentically, working collaboratively with Yahya Abdul-Mateen II to delve into the question of whether a new beginning is possible after profound failure. The show continuously questions the darkness within Creasy, exploring whether he remains a 'monster from the past' or can find resurrection. The production team was cautious, for instance, by toning back heavy drinking seen in the original film to better reflect Creasy's mental and emotional state.

The second episode features an ambitious action sequence involving a plane, a testament to the production's resourcefulness. Caple Jr. revealed that they minimized reliance on visual effects, instead employing practical stunts. A real plane was used for take-offs and landings on a tarmac, with a jeep actively chasing it and blank guns being fired. The sequence, including the climactic jump from a car to the plane, involved extensive planning, rehearsals, and a dedicated stunt team. While Abdul-Mateen II performed many stunts, the critical 'big leap' was executed by a seasoned stunt professional, highlighting the collective effort to deliver a cinematic and explosive opening for the season. Caple Jr. also shared a humorous anecdote about obsessing over Creasy's choice of low-end Doc Martens, a seemingly small detail that significantly informed the character's unkempt aesthetic.

Looking ahead, Steven Caple Jr. expressed enthusiasm for directing more episodes should a second season of Man on Fire be greenlit, citing timing as the primary constraint for his limited involvement in Season 1. Beyond Man on Fire, he is actively working on the sequel to I Am Legend and developing several projects through his company, Grey Skies, at Paramount. Man on Fire Season 1 is currently available for streaming on Netflix.