After his successful TV debut with Netflix’s House Of Cards, David Fincher is spearheading the U.S. adaptation of another British series, this time at HBO. The pay cable network, which aggressively pursued House Of Cards when it was shopped, has teamed with Fincher for Utopia, a drama series project based on the Channel 4 series created by Dennis Kelly and produced by Kudos. Fincher is set to direct the adaptation, which will be written by Gillian Flynn, reteaming with Fincher whose upcoming feature Gone Girl is based on her novel. Both Gone Girl and Utopia are in the thriller genre. The series revolves around the die-hard fans of an iconic, underground graphic novel who are suddenly launched into their Utopia_-_Capture_d'écranown pop-culture thriller when they learn that the author has secretly written a sequel. Unfortunately, the new manuscript igillian-flynns much more than just a book and those on the hunt for it suddenly find themselves in a game of shifting loyalties, conspiracy and shocking twists as the true meaning of the book is slowly revealed.
Flynn will write the U.S. version as part of an overall deal she has signed with HBO. The adaptation will be produced by HBO and Kudos sibling Shine America, with Fincher executive producing alongside Joshua Donen, Kelly, Kudos’ Jane Featherstone and Shine America’s Carolyn G. Bernstein.
Flynn will write the U.S. version as part of an overall deal she has signed with HBO. The adaptation will be produced by HBO and Kudos sibling Shine America, with Fincher executive producing alongside Joshua Donen, Kelly, Kudos’ Jane Featherstone and Shine America’s Carolyn G. Bernstein.
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Well HBO would be the best place for a remake of this show, the first season was really dark and messed up.
ReplyDeleteUtopia was a surprise to me last year. It was dark and messed up as Lou said, but it was also something different from most of what is on TV.
ReplyDeleteIf HBO can raise the level of story by adding more episodes and maybe tone down the hyper-stylized nature of Utopia I think it could work VERY well!
I never watched the original show, but count me in!
ReplyDeleteThe original was amazing and I hate this remake mania, but the names involved are A-grade, so color me interested.
ReplyDeleteOh no... I love the original show. I wish they wouldn't do this... :( American remakes never live up to the originals. *cough lucky 7 cough*
ReplyDeleteThere's always The Office. I live Gervais but I strongly dislike the British version of The Office even though I'm a big fan of British comedies in general. The Shameless remake is pretty good as well. Although they never ever remake the British shows I actually want them to, like Hex.
ReplyDeleteI haven't seen The Office, but completely agree with you on Shameless. Probably one of the only exceptions, like when the movies are better than the books, haha.
ReplyDeleteThere have been a few other mega-successful US remakes lately...
ReplyDelete- Being Human (As good or better than original IMO)
- House of Cards (Simply brilliant.One of the best shows on TV)
- Veep
And the past is filled with US remakes that were well-done hits...
- American Gladiators
- Queer as Folk
- Sanford and Son
- Three's Company
- Trading Spaces
"Reality shows" like Dancing With the Stars, Hell's Kitchen, X- Factor etc
And a number of game shows like Who Wants to Be a Millionaire etc
That's a list just by what I remember from a discussion a few years ago and I know I left a lot off.
That said, I am skeptical of remakes until they prove themselves as a rule, but I rarely write them off from the start.
Why? Why would they do that? Utopia is a wonderful show, why remaking it?!
ReplyDeleteI actually did not dislike the style, but I did think they sacrificed story for style at times. With only 3 episodes I thought it really barely glanced over what could have been a very deep and intriguing story. There was so much left untouched in the story. I wanted to see more I guess.
ReplyDeleteI think over what will likely be a 10 or 12 episode season there is more room for depth of story. If they can keep the fast feeling pace but somehow slow down the story I think it could work even better honestly.
Please tell me it was a typo, otherwise I have to tell you that you've missed 3 episodes :D And yes, I see your point but I don't think they sacrificed the story because they put an effort in giving it a unique visual style. It was supposed to be a 6 episode series since the beginning and, considering its low ratings, it'sa miracle it got renewed. In any case, I think it developed the story in a pretty good way, with characters evolving and growin up as time passed. Don't know, it's just an opinion, we'll see where they'll go with season 2 :)
ReplyDeleteHa! XD
ReplyDeleteMY bad! Not a typo so much as not recalling the episode count. I was thinking of the other series I watched at the same time called 'In the Flesh' which only had 3 episodes.
Oh I enjoyed the series! Do not get me wrong.... I just think that it could have been bigger. Maybe because I liked it so much I wanted more?
You are right though... I was a bit surprised when I heard it was renewed! I do not always see the UK ratings since I live in the US, but there have been a few UK series I did not expect to get renewed like Bedlam, In the Flesh, and Utopia.
And yet The Fades got cancelled! Ugh!
Even if this is HBO, I still don't think anyone else can pull this off so masterfully as the original.
ReplyDeleteI love Utopia, can't wait to see what HBO make of it (though I too will be pleasantly surprised if it's as good!)
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't really say Elementary is a remake of Sherlock, because they're both based off the books, but you're right. I love Being Human US and Shameless US, and there is a chance that this remake could be good aswell so I should give it a chance.
ReplyDelete