Is Xena making a comeback? Sure looks like it!
Twenty year after it first premiered as a “Hercules” spinoff, “Xena: Warrior Princess” which starred Lucy Lawless as a bad*ss warrior princess, could just be returning to television. According to Variety, sources confirmed that the popular ’90s series is being eyed for a reboot at NBC and NBC Universal International, though the project is still in the very early stages of development.
Original executive producers Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi are involved in the project, which is considered as a “modern reboot”. It is unclear what, if any, role original star Lawless would have, though it has been reported by The Hollywood Reporter that insiders would like the original star to have both a role onscreen and behind the scenes.
However, after new of the revival of the warrior princess broke, Lawless took to Twitter to deny the series but according to Variety, insiders still claims that the project is being discussed at the network — just in very early stages.
The new “Xena” is in talks for a 2016 debut, but nothing has been confirmed so far. “Xena” would be the next revival project in the works, as all venues are hot on the trend. Also at NBC is “Heroes Reborn,” which arrives this fall.
Other shows making their way back to the smallscreen are include “The X-Files” on Fox, Showtime’s “Twin Peaks” and Netflix’s “Fuller House.”
UPDATE (14th August, 2:28pm):
The report about the “Xena: Warrior Princess” reboot is no longer just a rumour.
During the Television Critics Association press tour, NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt told The Hollywood Reporter that the development on the “Xena: Warrior Princess” reboot for television has already begun.
He said:
Yes, we’re in the early stages of developing a new take on Xena and we’re looking for a writer. We want to do it
According to THR, the original “Xena” series executive producers, Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi, are involved in the reboot series. Greenblatt said the series “would depend on the writer’s vision” and sources revealed that the network is already meeting with their top choice for a scribe.
It is unclear whether Lucy Lawless would have onscreen role, but sources told THR that the new, modern Xena must have “the charisma and charm of Lawless and the smarts of The Hunger Games‘ Katniss”.
Greenblatt said:
We’d love to have Lucy be a part of it — if we felt that her presence didn’t overshadow the direction we take with it. I’m not sure how she could be part of it if she wasn’t playing Xena, and I don’t know if that’s a direction we’ll ever go.
The potential series is currently being eyed for release in 2016.
What are your thoughts on the revival of “Xena: Warrior Princess”? Let us know by sounding off in the comments box.
via Variety and The Hollywood Reporter
