Last month, word broke that NBC was looking to reboot Xena: Warrior Princess. However, the original Xena herself, Lucy Lawless quickly dismissed the reports as just “a rumor.†But it isn’t a rumor anymore.
At the Television Critics Association Press Tour, NBC’s Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt not only confirmed that a Xena reboot is in the works, he said “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.”
“I don’t think it’s just a continuation, but we haven’t gotten that far,†continued Greenblatt. “I think it’s a great character, and we should try to figure out how to revive it somehow.” He also added that “there is a deal with Sam [Raimi] and Rob Tapert to produce, and it’s with NBC International.”
But as recently as the Ash vs. Evil Dead panel at TCA, Lawless said that neither she, nor her husband, Tapert, or Raimi were involved with the Xena reboot.
“They could be doing it without us,†related Lawless. “They have the right to, don’t they? I’d love to see it happen, and I know that NBC wants to do it, but they’re just trying to find a way and a time.”
Greenblatt was also vague about the involvement that Lawless would have with any Xena reboot.
“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,†noted Greenblatt. “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.”
NBC reportedly is meeting with a potential writer for the Xena reboot, but a deal has not yet been reached. The network is said to be shooting to have the Xena reboot ready for a 2016 debut.
Xena fans, will you accept a reboot of the series if Lawless, Tapert, and Raimi aren’t directly involved? Take up arms and share your thoughts in the comment section below!
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