MrRant 0 Report post Posted October 14, 2003 Danger, Will Robinson! The clan's about to be shipped back to outer space. The WB has won the right to launch an updated version of the 60's TV classic Lost in Space, putting up more than $2 million for a pilot order. Bids were submitted by at least three other networks for the 20th Century Fox project, conceived by John Woo, who may direct the pilot, and scribe Doug Petrie (Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Ultimately, the WB's fantasy track record and high-priced pilot commitment swayed the studio toward the Frog. "We think the WB is the perfect network to support a show like this," 20th Century Fox TV prez Gary Newman told Variety. The WB also agreed to a hefty licensing fee of $1.2 million per episode, which could increase if the series is a success. That's a far cry from the quarrel between the WB and 20th Century three years ago, when the two parties failed to reach a renewal deal for Buffy. The new financial arrangement eliminates the possibility of another such clash. "With the exception of [the final season of] Buffy, we've had a good and rewarding business relationship with 20th," Levin said. "Reba has been the most recent example of shows that have been win-win for both sides." Another collaborative success story is Angel. The network confirmed that it had placed a full season order for the 20th Century production, which has flourished in its new Wednesday night timeslot this season. On the bubble until the very end of last season, Angel returned for a fifth season with its future unclear. The net had an option to cut the show back to 13 episodes if it failed to perform but the series has averaged 5.2 million viewers since its return last month--better than last season's average of 3.7 million viewers per episode. As for Lost in Space, an intergalactic retelling of The Swiss Family Robinson that originally aired on CBS from 1965 to '68, the new version will be set in the year 2097 (as opposed to 1997) but continue to follow the adventures of the Robinson family and their trusty robot. "It's not about laser blasters and starships and funky aliens, though there will be bags of all of those," Petrie told Variety. "That stuff is just the best window dressing, the way monsters provided a way for Buffy to say high school is hell. The show is going to be more based on what's going on with the typical American family rather than a sweeping space opera." In addition, the remake won't feature a Dr. Smith character. Smith was the saboteur and unintentional stowaway who got the Robinson family lost in space after he knocked them off their five-year course to explore distant planets. This is a second attempt for executive producers Jon Jashni and Kevin Burns to revive the franchise for television. The duo had previously approached NBC with a two-hour Lost in Space TV reunion under their Synthesis Entertainment shingle. But the project fell apart in November after the death of original cast member Jonathan Harris (news), who played the sinister Dr. Smith. The franchise's previous reincarnation came in the form of a disappointing 1998 movie starring William Hurt, Mimi Rogers (news), Heather Graham (news), Matt LeBlanc (news) and Gary Oldman (news). How hard is it to come up with an original sci-fi show? Really? It's not that hard. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest El Satanico Report post Posted October 14, 2003 Wonder if they will give it a more serious spin or if it'll be the same campy fun of the original series. I'm not sure which I'd prefer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
razazteca 0 Report post Posted October 16, 2003 They should cast either the Olsen or Hilton sisters for this show. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anakin Flair 0 Report post Posted October 17, 2003 No Dr. Smith? WTF!? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lil' Bitch 0 Report post Posted October 17, 2003 I liked the 98 remake. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
