Everything old is new again, and no classic (or non-classic) is safe. The latest to be circling a possible revival that could take the original idea and really enhance it with serial premium cable channel storytelling is Westworld. The original feature was released in 1973 based on the story by Michael Crichton, who also directed it, which had as its starts Yuk Brynner and James Brolin. With it being a Warner Bros. property at this point after being with MGM originally, that makes it easier for HBO to work with.
The people behind this are certainly interesting and that alone makes it something worth seeing what could develop as J.J. Abrams is set to produce with Bryan Burk of Bad Robot. The pilot that’s been ordered will have Jonathan Nolan co-writing it and directing it. Nolan is currently the showrunner on Person of Interest, where he’s also directed a bit. Nolan will be writing with Pushing Daisies writer Lisa Joy.
Original feature plot concept: For $1,000 a day, vacationers can indulge whims at the theme park called Westworld. They can bust up a bar or bust out of jail, drop in on a brothel or get the drop on a gunslinger. It’s all safe: the park’s lifelike androids are programmed never to harm the customers. But not all droids are getting with the program.
