Update: "Lost in Space" Remake Series Ordered at Netflix

[JamesG]

"Lost in Space" TV Series Remake in the Works at Netflix
by Nellie Andreeva
November 20, 2015


Legendary TV’s "Lost in Space", a remake of sci-fi master Irwin Allen’s 1965 cult TV classic, is headed to Netflix. I’ve learned that in a competitive situation, with multiple bidders, the streaming network has landed the project, which is being written with an eye toward a straight-to-series order.

The new "Lost in Space" is described as an epic but grounded science fiction saga focusing on a young explorer family from earth lost in an alien universe and the challenges they face in staying together against seemingly insurmountable odds.

It hails from feature writers Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless (Dracula Untold) who executive produce with Kevin Burns of Synthesis Entertainment, as well as Neil Marshall and Marc Helwig of Legendary TV-based Applebox. Marshall is expected to direct.





"Lost in Space" has been a long-time passion project for Burns, founder and president of unscripted production company Prometheus (Kendra, The Curse of Oak Island). In 1999, Burns, along with Jon Jashni, formed Synthesis Entertainment, aimed at bringing new life to Allen’s creations with remakes and sequel projects.

The company first tried reviving "Lost in Space" at NBC as a telefilm, but that project went away following the death of original co-star Jonathan Harris, who played Smith. During the 2003-04 season, a reboot of the series landed at the WB in a bidding war, where it went to pilot written by Doug Petrie and directed by John Woo but did not move to series.

Meanwhile, a feature adaptation was released in 1998 written by Akiva Goldsman and directed by Stephen Hopkins. Burns had been working closely with Irwin’s widow, Sheila Matthews Allen. Since her death in 2013, he has been solely spearheading Synthesis’ efforts.





With Jashni as president and chief creative officer at Legendary, he and Burns reunited as the independent financing and production company . Sazama and Sharpless were attached as writers, with Neil Marshall and Marc Helwig coming on board as part of their first-look deal with Legendary TV.

The four worked on the pitch that was taken out, landing at Netflix. Marshall and Helwig also exec produce and Marshall is directing Legendary TV’s USA Network drama pilot "Poor Richard’s Almanack".





The original series aired on CBS for three seasons and ended its run after 83 episodes over a combination of softening ratings and rising costs. It was produced by 20th Century Fox, which continues to syndicate the existing episodes but does not hold rights or have any underlying ownership in the franchise.

"Lost in Space" marked its 50th anniversary in September with release of Irwin Allen’s "Lost In Space: The Complete Adventures" on Blu-ray Disc, featuring all 83 episodes digitally remastered.

http://deadline.com/2015/11/lost-in-...ix-1201587644/

[JamesG]

"Lost in Space" Reboot Scores 10-Episode Series Order at Netflix
by Lesley Goldberg
6/30/16


Netflix is heading to space. The streaming giant has handed out a 10-episode series order to a reimagined "Lost in Space", The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Netflix's reimagined series hails from feature writing duo Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless (Dracula Untold, The Last Witch Hunter), with Zack Estrin (Prison Break) set to serve as showrunner. The drama will premiere worldwide in 2018.





Netflix's new "Lost in Space" takes its its cues from the original show and centers on the Robinson family, who is forced to come together in a time of crisis. Stranded light years from their intended destination, they find themselves battling a strange new alien environment and also their own personal demons. Equal parts family drama and sci-fi adventure, Netflix is billing the reboot as "a survival story for the ages."

"The original series so deftly captured both drama and comedy, and that made it very appealing to a broad audience," Netflix vp originals Cindy Holland said Wednesday in a statement. "The current creative team’s reimagining of the series for Netflix is sure to appeal to both fans who fondly remember the original and to create a new generation of enthusiasts around the world."





Estrin will executive produce alongside Sazama, Sharpless, Synthesis Entertainment’s Kevin Burns (The Curse of Oak Island, Ancient Aliens) and Jon Jashni (Godzilla, Pacific Rim). Also on board are Applebox’s Emmy-nominated director Neil Marshall (Game of Thrones, The Descent) and Marc Helwig.

Marshall will helm multiple episodes of the series.





The show is a longtime passion project for Burns, who with Jon Jashni formed Synthesis Entertainment in 1999 and first tried reviving Lost in Space at NBC as a telepic.

Warner Bros. Television landed a reboot of the series during a bidding war in 2003-04 with a pilot written by Dougo Petrie and directed by John Woo that did not move forward. A feature take, written by Akiva Goldsman and directed by Stephen Hopkins, was released in 1998.

"Lost in Space" was revived with Jashni at Legendary before his departure earlier this year.





The original series, which starred Guy Williams, June Lockhart, Mark Goddard, Marta Kristen, Angela Cartwright, Bill Mumy and Jonathan Harris, ran for three seasons and 83 episodes on CBS. It was produced by 20th Century Fox Television and aired from 1965-1968.

For Netflix, "Lost in Space" comes as the streaming giant is poised to spend $5 billion this year on original programming.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/liv...ores-10-907462

[Mr. Television]

Oh the pain the pain.

[AB]

I'd like to check it out, but it will be hard for it to live up to the original. Jonathan Harris as Dr. Smith will be one tough role for them to fill.

[TMC]

Netflix Casts Toby Stephens As The Dad in Lost in Space Remake

[TMC]

Parker Posey will play Dr. Smith and now we suddenly care a lot about Netflix's Lost in Space http://on.io9.com/saPLWfw

[JamesG]

[JamesG]

[TMC]

New Lost in Space trailer shows that Parker Posey might be the best Dr. Smith
Posey is taking on the role previously played by Gary Oldman in the 1998 movie and Jonathan Harris in the 1960s TV series. Netflix has released a "Meet Dr. Smith" trailer that looks like Posey may have the best take on the mysterious antagonist.

Netflix's Lost in Space would be so much better if it cut off the bloat
"Lost in Space is one of the foremost cases of Netflix bloat I’ve seen," says Todd VanDerWerff. "Chop 20 minutes out of almost all of these episodes and you’d have a rollicking family adventure series. At their current running times, though, the series lags and sags in a way that will leave viewers bored stiff." The Netflix reboot is a mixed bag. There's plenty to like, such as Parker Posey. But, he adds, "too much of the series feels like it’s frozen in place, waiting for all the other stuff to get taken care of so the story can resume. There’s a version of Lost in Space that’s very entertaining, but it feels as if the series’ producers haven’t quite found it yet. They’re still chipping away at the giant block of ice, looking for the story within."

ALSO:

• Lost in Space should be called "Mired in Mediocrity"
  Don't binge-watch: Lost in Space is better consumed at a slow pace, or else you'll notice its redundancies
  The Robot is astonishing, but the rest of the series is less exciting
  Netflix's Lost in Space finally delivers on the promise of the franchise's premise
  Parker Posey is a revolutionary villain who keeps subverting expectations