Truth be told, I never much cared for The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984). It was one of those films that had some undeniable charm, but I never found its story all than interesting or all of its 'golly gee, aren't we grand' characters all that ... well ... 'grand.' Still, as a lover of cult flicks, I can certainly understand why fandom embraced the feature as something more than the sum of its cinema parts, and in that respect I'll always wish it well.
However, I was caught completely unawares in reading that efforts to mount a television series based upon the property had hit the 'legal snag' (via TheHollywoodReporter.com). Apparently, Kevin Smith and Amazon Studios had been involved (I do recall reading something about Smith bowing out for much of the same wrangling) in pre-production talks with Banzai's original screenwriter and director; but MGM wants to hash out just who owns what in court.
No disrespect intended, but the original Banzai didn't have the legs to so much as launch the sequel advertised in the film's closing scenes (perhaps that's where the proposed television series would've headed). I'm guessing that many of its stars have moved on in their professional careers and may not have been involved (though this kinda thing does look tailor-made for Jeff Goldblum), which would lead me to believe a loose reboot was in order anyhow.
At this point, I guess "it is what it is," but I won't be looking for this project to line up in front of the cameras any time soon.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
However, I was caught completely unawares in reading that efforts to mount a television series based upon the property had hit the 'legal snag' (via TheHollywoodReporter.com). Apparently, Kevin Smith and Amazon Studios had been involved (I do recall reading something about Smith bowing out for much of the same wrangling) in pre-production talks with Banzai's original screenwriter and director; but MGM wants to hash out just who owns what in court.
No disrespect intended, but the original Banzai didn't have the legs to so much as launch the sequel advertised in the film's closing scenes (perhaps that's where the proposed television series would've headed). I'm guessing that many of its stars have moved on in their professional careers and may not have been involved (though this kinda thing does look tailor-made for Jeff Goldblum), which would lead me to believe a loose reboot was in order anyhow.
At this point, I guess "it is what it is," but I won't be looking for this project to line up in front of the cameras any time soon.
As always, thanks for reading ... and live long and prosper!
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