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Running for six years (from 1995-2001) the classic TV show Xena: Warrior Princess became a staple of at-home viewing in the late ’90s, and even grew to become arguably more popular than its parent show (being a spin-off from similar classic Channel 5 viewing Hercules: The Legendary Journeys), as it catapulted its star Lucy Lawless to B-list superstardom; success which NBC and production company NBC Universal will be hoping to replicate with a planned Xena: Warrior Princess remake.
Both Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert (the pair who created the original Xena) are involved with the remake, and hope to bring Lucy Lawless back into the fold somehow (potentially on-screen; and increasingly likely as Lawless has been working with Sam, and ex-Xena cohort Bruce Campbell on their upcoming TV show Ash Vs. Evil Dead, and remains married to Rob Tapert).
“I’m always being peppered with questions about when the Xena movie is coming… and I’m pitching my ass off to make it happen, whether it’s with me or not.” Lawless recently stated at Comic-Con. “I think it’d be funny to have a reboot like Ash Vs. Evil Dead — like middle-aged Xena in a muumuu with a bad attitude and a smoking habit.… Bring Ted Raimi (Joxer) in and maybe Bruce Campbell (Autolycus).”
So far there’s no word on whether or not Xena‘s next outing will form a one-shot limited miniseries, an ongoing show, or if Lawless would remain the star or take a step back for some new blood to take centre stage, as the producers are still looking for writer’s to come up with a new and interesting idea. Yet either way, they’re aiming to have Xena: Warrior Princess back on the air in 2016 (next year).
Matt Wheeldon – @TheMattWheeldon.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter.
