Last month, a report surfaced that NBC and NBCUniversal are developing a TV reboot of the beloved fantasy seriesXena: Warrior Princess, which ran for six seasons in syndication from 1995 to 2001. NBC Entertainment Chairman Bob Greenblatt confirmed toThe Hollywood Reporterthat theTV rebootis in active development, and they are currently searching for a writer to tackle the material. Here’s what the network executive had to say about the potential project, confirming that the show’s original producers,Sam Raimiand Rob Tapert, are back for the reboot..
“Yes, we’re in the early stages of developing a new take onXenaand 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. I think it’s a great character, and we should try to figure out how to revive it somehow. There is a deal with Sam and Rob Tapert to produce, and it’s with NBC International.”
The initial report revealed that theTV reboot, which is being eyed for a 2016 debut, will feature an actress who could combine the charisma and charm of original series starLucy Lawless, with the smarts ofKatnissfromThe Hunger Gamesfranchise. NBC hopes to turn this into an ongoing series, but it isn’t known if the network is eyeing it as a 13-episode limited series run, or if it would get a full 22-episode season. The earlier report also claimed that the network wants to bring original starLucy Lawlessback in some capacity, which Bob Greenblatt also confirmed.
“We’d love to haveLucybe a part of it - if we felt that her presence didn’t overshadow the direction we take with it. 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.”
Lucy Lawless' title character was originally introduced on another first-run syndicated show, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, before she got her own spinoff. Renée O’Connor also starred as Xena’s companion Gabrielle, withTed Raimias Joxer,Bruce Campbellas Autolycus,Marton Csokasas Borias and a youngKarl Urbanin one of his early roles as Julius Caesar. It remains to be seen if any of the supporting cast members will be asked back for the reboot.
Lucy Lawless, who is married to producer Rob Tapert, recently tweeted that the report “was just a rumor,” but Bob Greenblatt said he’d be open to the actress being involved behind-the-scenes in some way. Is there an actress you think could inhabit this new version ofXena: Warrior Princess? Let us know what you think, and stay tuned for more updates on thisXena: Warrior Princessreboot. In the meantime,Lucy Lawlessshared her reaction to hearing the news thatXena: Warrior Princessis officially happening.
