HBO questions the nature of reality in “Westworld“, a new original sci-fi series that is scheduled to be shown next year.
The first trailer, which made its debut at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC), has finally been released online and it offered us a chilling glimpse into the show that features a stellar cast including Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood, James Marsden, Thandie Newton, and Jeffrey Wright.
“Westworld” is loosely based on Michael Crichton’s movie of the same name. The sci-fi flick was released more than 3 decades ago and it was about a futuristic Western-themed amusement park that was overtaken by killer cowboy robots. It was also the first-ever feature film to use digital image processing for the purpose of pixellating photography and stimulating an android point of view.
The movie received high praises from critics and was nominated for Hugo, Nebula, and Golden Scroll (aka Saturn) awards. Variety described it as an “excellent” film that “combines solid entertainment, chilling topicality, and superbly intelligent serio-comic story values”.
A sequel film and a short-lived TV series of “Westworld” were subsequently made, but Crichton was not involved in the former as he was intensely fatigued by the movie.
According to HBO, the one-hour drama takes a more modern turn on the original film as it is “a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the future of sin”.
“Lord of the Rings” actress Miranda Otto was originally slated to star in the show, but she left the project and her part was replaced by “Borgen” star Sidse Babbett Knudsen. “Once Upon a Time” star Eion Bailey also joined the cast to play Logan, “a self-indulgent ladies man who is a return visitor to Westworld”. His character is described as “well versed in inhaling all the pleasures that it has to offer”. However, he has recently been replaced by Ben Barnes.
“House Of Cards” star Jimmi Simpson will play Logan’s friend, William, a first-time park visitor. Clifton Collins Jr. (of “Pacific Rim” fame ) will play Lawrence, “a sly criminal who really knows his way around Westworld”. The series also stars Rodrigo Santoro, Shannon Woodward, Ingrid Bolsø Berdal, Angela Sarafyan, and Simon Quarterman.
Watch the eerie trailer below:
Jonathan Nolan (brother of “Interstellar” director Christopher Nolan) co-created “Westworld” with Lisa Joy, and is directing it based on the screenplay written by himself and Joy. “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” director J.J. Abrams is executive producing it alongside Nolan, Joy, and Bryan Burk. The late Jerry Weintraub is also credited as executive producer.
Kathy Lingg serves as co-executive producer while Athena Wickham and Susie Ekins serve as producer and co-producer respectively. The series is produced by Bad Robot Productions, Jerry Weintraub Productions, and Kilter Films in association with Warner Bros. Television.
“Westworld” is expected air in Asia on HBO same time as the US.
Stay tuned to HBO Asia’s official website and Facebook page for more updates.
