J.J. Abrams Has Grabbed TV Rights To Westworld!
This news just in, as reported by Deadline.com: HBO has nabbed “Westworld”, a new drama series inspired by Michael Crichton’s 1973 sci-fi movie. The project, from J.J. Abrams‘ Bad Robot, Person Of Interest creator Jonathan Nolan, producer Jerry Weintraub and Warner Bros TV, has received a pilot production commitment.
J.J. Is Taking Over Sci-Fi!
After reviving the “Star Trek” franchise – and with more “Star Wars” movies on the way, Abrams’ is certainly taking over science fiction…
The new TV project “Westworld” is described as a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the future of sin. I can completely understand how they can make this work, especially when you see how the classic 70′s movie offered an “anything goes” vacation – or, as the tagline for the movie said:
Have We Got A Vacation For You!
If you are unfamiliar with the movie, here is a look at this iconic 70′s sci-fi classic – with a great poster!
Westworld. Where nothing can possibly go worng…
This 70′s classic has a simple premise. As the opening voiceover proclaims: “Delos is the vacation of the future, today. At Delos, you get your choice of the vacation you want. There’s Medieval World, Roman World and, of course, Westworld.”
Here is the movie’s trailer:
Richard Benjamin and James Brolin star as two friends out for a fun weekend – a weekend where they can dress up and play cowboy….
Yul Brynner is the Robot designed and operated by the resort – challenging them to gun battles – which of course, the guys always win…
It’s all male fantasty – taking part in shootouts and killing bad guys, but things go very, very wrong…as the movie’s movie poster brilliantly said:
Where Nothing Can Possibly Go W-O-R-N-G…
John Blane: [after Being Bitten By A Robotic Snake] “The hell, god dammit, that’s not supposed to happen!”
And with that, the two friends find themselves being hunted down by the robot – let the games begin!
Best-selling Author Michael Crichton became inspired to write this film after a trip to Disneyland, where he saw the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, and was impressed by the animatronic characters.
Crichton also directed the film, which was a huge box office success, and spawned a sequel called “Futureworld.”
And how about this trivia, courtesy of IMDB:
“Westworld” used the first computer digitized images as part of a feature film!
Something tells me the effects in the new TV series will be far, far above anything seen in the 70′s! Congrats to JJ and the entire creative team – can’t wait to see this!
