Oliver Twist is coming to the small screen in the same way that so many classics are currently being redone. Exclusively reported by The Hollywood Reporter yesterday afternoon, the Charles Dickens‘ classic will be modernized as a procedural for NBC.
The adaptation will be produced by Joel Silver and Lionsgate, and its title will be appropriately shortened and sweetened to Twist. Despite the eyebrow-raising this particular declassification of a novel may incur, there are some interesting turns to the development that are perking my interest, like the way the protagonist will be modernized alongside the story. The official logline reads: “A sexy contemporary take on Oliver Twist with a struggling 20-something female (Twist) who finally finds a true sense of family in a strange group of talented outcasts who use their unique skills to take down wealthy criminals.”
Chad Damiani and J.P. Lavin will be writing the script and executive producing the show alongside Silver under the umbrella of Silver Pictures Television. Silver is no stranger to dramatic television with Veronica Mars, and Moonlight in his credits, so I’m trying to feel hopeful for this new project. It’s hard not to roll the eyes at another well-known story getting a modern take hitting the airwaves, though. Let’s hope that this leaves us quoting other famous adaptations of Oliver Twist, with our empty bowls upheld and a tremble to our lips as we ask, “Please sir, may I have some more?” instead of the alternative.
Do you think an adaptation of Charles Dickens with so many drastic changes–aging the protagonist, gender-bending, and a whole new setting–will hold up? Or do you think this has high potential to crash and burn like Fagin’s criminal career? Comment below and tell us what you think!
Image credit: Romulus Films/Columbia Pictures
