NBC’s finally making some forward progress with their Xena reboot. They’ve recently hired Javier Grillo-Marxuach, who wrote and produced the first two seasons of Lost. He’ll be working with directors Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi to bring the warrior princess back to television.
You’ll remember that a Xena reboot was confirmed a few months back by NBC’s Bob Greenblatt. Definitely note that this is a reboot, not a continuation. As far as we know, Lucy Lawless isn’t directly involved, so the search for a new Xena could begin real soon. Given that they’re hoping to premiere the new series in 2016, that’s almost a given.
Grillo-Marxauch has an impressive credits list, including work on Law and Order: SVU, The Chronicle, Charlie’s Angels, and Charmed. It’ll be interesting to see his take on the character, and it’s with no small hope that we pray he gets her right.
Plot and character details remain thin, but according to The Hollywood Reporter’s sources, “the reboot will follow a new, modern Xena, with the lead actress needing to have the charisma and charm of original star Lucy Lawless and the smarts of The Hunger Games‘ Katniss as producers are said to be looking for a sophisticated and smart superhero for a new generation.”
Lawless could still be involved in the background creatively, and she’ll be close to the project in one form or another–she is, after all, married to the new show’s director, Tapert. More importantly… come on. How could she not be involved? Not having her be a part of the show in some way would almost guarantee lost viewers and immediate distrust of the show.
We remain cautiously hopeful about the show. How about you? What’re your thoughts on this development?
(image via Universal Television)
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Published: Dec 14, 2015 03:18 pm