Netflix and Legendary’s upcoming reboot of Lost in Space is still over a year away, but we’re very excited about the latest addition to the cast: Parker Posey has signed on to play Doctor Smith!
Deadline broke the story, which noted that the new Lost in Space will retain the same basic premise of the original series with a modernized tone and updated characters. In Irwin Allen’s classic show from 1965, the Robinson family of space explorers found themselves hopelessly adrift in the universe thanks to the sabotage of Doctor Zachary Smith. Unfortunately for Dr. Smith, he was unable to escape the Robinson’s ship, the Jupiter 2, before he was trapped on board as well.
Although Dr. Smith was initially the Robinsons’ adversary, the later episodes (and Jonathan Harris’ performance) transformed Smith into a more comedic character. Harris made Smith so funny that fans loved him even though he was a sniveling coward who cared about no one except himself. Gary Oldman played Smith in the Lost in Space movie from 1998, his take on the character was more serious…which made him less engaging than Harris’ Smith.
That’s why we’re so happy that Posey is playing Smith in the reboot series. Sure, Smith’s first name is gonna have to be changed. But if anyone can play selfishly evil and funny at the same time, it’s Parker Posey!
Even back in Dazed and Confused (or in the 1995 film Party Girl in the GIF above), Parker demonstrated that ability while portraying Darla Marks. Parker has made a name for herself playing wacky, over-the-top adversaries in Josie and the Pussycats and Best in Show, but she’s also managed to show terrific vulnerability in Clockwatchers and Broken English, among other films. Those traits could be an invaluable way for Posey to humanize Smith without losing the qualities that made the original character so much fun to watch. We can’t wait to see what Posey does as Dr. Smith!
Molly Parker and Toby Stephens also star in the series as Maureen and John Robinson: with Maxwell Jenkins and Taylor Russell as their children, Will and Judy. The couple’s other daughter, Penny, and Major Don West will presumably be cast soon. Lost in Space will premiere on Netflix in 2018.
Featured Image:Â Sony Pictures Classics
GIF: First Look Pictures
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