Fargo (FX, premieres 4/15/2014)
09-25-12 | 10:33 AM
#1
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Legend
Fargo (FX, premieres 4/15/2014)
Per Deadline:
EXCLUSIVE: Joel and Ethan Coen are bringing one of their signatures movies to television. FX has closed a deal to develop Fargo, an hourlong project loosely based on the Coen brothers’ 1996 comedic crime drama. The Coens will serve as executive producers on the project, which will be written/executive produced by The Unusuals and My Generation creator Noah Hawley. Warren Littlefield also will executive the project, which will be co-produced by MGM Television and FX Prods.
MGM TV first attempted to adapt Fargo in 2003 with a pilot starring Edie Falco and directed by Kathy Bates, which was done without the Coen brothers’ participation.
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Not sure this will work
EXCLUSIVE: Joel and Ethan Coen are bringing one of their signatures movies to television. FX has closed a deal to develop Fargo, an hourlong project loosely based on the Coen brothers’ 1996 comedic crime drama. The Coens will serve as executive producers on the project, which will be written/executive produced by The Unusuals and My Generation creator Noah Hawley. Warren Littlefield also will executive the project, which will be co-produced by MGM Television and FX Prods.
MGM TV first attempted to adapt Fargo in 2003 with a pilot starring Edie Falco and directed by Kathy Bates, which was done without the Coen brothers’ participation.
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Not sure this will work
09-25-12 | 12:36 PM
#3
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
re: Fargo (FX, premieres 4/15/2014)
Weird, although I am curious about the pilot that was done with Edie Falco in the lead. But as was already said, this doesn't need to happen.
09-25-12 | 03:52 PM
#5
DVD Talk Hero
re: Fargo (FX, premieres 4/15/2014)
Fargo is a great movie but I really don't see why they'd want to base a series off of it. Even more odd to me is that Coen Brothers are working with the network to make this happen. It seems odd they'd actually back something like this.
09-25-12 | 04:28 PM
#6
DVD Talk Legend
09-25-12 | 04:43 PM
#7
re: Fargo (FX, premieres 4/15/2014)
Of any of their movies, it's the one that would lend itself to a weekly series: the adventures of homespun spewing, knocked up police chief in Minnesota.
But is Fargo enough of a name to draw an audience on the strength of the movie. Does the general public remember Fargo the same way they do something like Titantic? I would think this would draw as much excitment as if you told people a show was coming out based off The English Patient.
But is Fargo enough of a name to draw an audience on the strength of the movie. Does the general public remember Fargo the same way they do something like Titantic? I would think this would draw as much excitment as if you told people a show was coming out based off The English Patient.
09-25-12 | 04:47 PM
#8
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
re: Fargo (FX, premieres 4/15/2014)
Of any of their movies, it's the one that would lend itself to a weekly series: the adventures of homespun spewing, knocked up police chief in Minnesota.
But is Fargo enough of a name to draw an audience on the strength of the movie. Does the general public remember Fargo the same way they do something like Titantic? I would think this would draw as much excitment as if you told people a show was coming out based off The English Patient.
But is Fargo enough of a name to draw an audience on the strength of the movie. Does the general public remember Fargo the same way they do something like Titantic? I would think this would draw as much excitment as if you told people a show was coming out based off The English Patient.
09-25-12 | 04:53 PM
#9
re: Fargo (FX, premieres 4/15/2014)
Agree, Big Lebowski could be made into a weekly series, but without Jeff Bridges playing The Dude it would suffer too much negativity.
Fargo on the otherhand, would do just fine casting someone besides Francis McDormand. Before you throw stones at me, yes, she was fantastic in that role, she is responsible for the lion's share of Fargo's success. She is a major reason why Fargo is a great movie...
But audiences would accept a different actress playing Marge. They would accept no substitutes for Jeff Bridges.
Fargo on the otherhand, would do just fine casting someone besides Francis McDormand. Before you throw stones at me, yes, she was fantastic in that role, she is responsible for the lion's share of Fargo's success. She is a major reason why Fargo is a great movie...
But audiences would accept a different actress playing Marge. They would accept no substitutes for Jeff Bridges.
09-25-12 | 05:00 PM
#10
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From: Southside Virginia
re: Fargo (FX, premieres 4/15/2014)
The Big Lebowski's universe would best be served in series format with a Quintana-based series. Oh how awesome that could be.
I tend to think a Marge series could work, but I would probably want to go prequel. In fact, I think any of their police-involved films could support a police series, including Raising Arizona.
I tend to think a Marge series could work, but I would probably want to go prequel. In fact, I think any of their police-involved films could support a police series, including Raising Arizona.
09-25-12 | 09:53 PM
#12
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Legend
re: Fargo (FX, premieres 4/15/2014)
I want to say this will bomb in the ratings, but the Coens themselves are actually involved. They can't let it turn out to be shit, can they? OK to be fair they've had their fair share of duds.
09-26-12 | 12:32 AM
#14
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
re: Fargo (FX, premieres 4/15/2014)
Agree, Big Lebowski could be made into a weekly series, but without Jeff Bridges playing The Dude it would suffer too much negativity.
Fargo on the otherhand, would do just fine casting someone besides Francis McDormand. Before you throw stones at me, yes, she was fantastic in that role, she is responsible for the lion's share of Fargo's success. She is a major reason why Fargo is a great movie...
But audiences would accept a different actress playing Marge. They would accept no substitutes for Jeff Bridges.
Fargo on the otherhand, would do just fine casting someone besides Francis McDormand. Before you throw stones at me, yes, she was fantastic in that role, she is responsible for the lion's share of Fargo's success. She is a major reason why Fargo is a great movie...
But audiences would accept a different actress playing Marge. They would accept no substitutes for Jeff Bridges.
The sad thing with TV is that it doesn't always matter if it's good. I also wouldn't be surprised if it bombs if it's on a network. If it's good, I can see it going the way of Karen Sisco.
09-27-12 | 08:55 PM
#15
DVD Talk Gold Edition
09-27-12 | 09:00 PM
#16
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From: Southside Virginia
re: Fargo (FX, premieres 4/15/2014)
08-02-13 | 06:09 PM
#17
DVD Talk God
re: Fargo (FX, premieres 4/15/2014)
Billy Bob Thornton was cast as the lead.
FX LANDS OSCAR® WINNER BILLY BOB THORNTON FOR LEAD IN FARGO
Thornton to Star as “Lorne Malvo” in the 10-Part Limited Series of the
Adaptation of the Classic Award-Winning Feature Film of the Same Title
Limited Series Adapted for Television by Novelist/Writer Noah Hawley
Joel & Ethan Coen, Noah Hawley, Warren Littlefield,
and Geyer Kosinski are Executive Producers
FX Productions and MGM Television to Produce 10 Episodes
Production Begins this Fall with the Series Slated to Premiere Spring 2014
BEVERLY HILLS, August 2, 2013 – Academy Award® winning writer/producer and Academy Award and Golden Globe® Award nominated actor Billy Bob Thornton has signed on to star in the FX limited series Fargo, an adaptation of the classic Academy Award winning feature film of the same title by Joel & Ethan Coen, it was announced today by John Landgraf, CEO of FX Networks and FX Productions. Production begins this fall in Canada and the series is slated to premiere next spring on FX.
Thornton will play "Lorne Malvo," a rootless, manipulative man who meets a small town insurance salesman and sets him on a path of destruction.
Thornton won the Academy Award for Outstanding Screenplay for Sling Blade, for which he also was nominated for Best Supporting Actor, and he was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor for A Simple Plan. He has four Golden Globe acting nominations for The Man Who Wasn’t There, A Simple Plan, Bandits, and Bad Santa.
A 10-episode limited series inspired by the film, FX’s Fargo will feature an all-new “true crime” story, with the series following a new case and new characters, all entrenched in the trademark humor, murder and “Minnesota nice” that has made the film an enduring classic. Fargo is written by Noah Hawley. Executive Producers are Joel & Ethan Coen, Warren Littlefield, and Geyer Kosinski. Fargo is produced by FX Productions and MGM Television.
MGM Television will handle worldwide distribution of the series outside of the U.S. and Canada.
Fargo, released in 1996, was nominated for seven Academy Awards® and won for Best Original Screenplay for Joel & Ethan Coen and Best Actress for Frances McDormand. It was named as one of the 100 Greatest American Movies by the American Film Institute. A wildly unique blend of comedy, drama and thriller, the film starred Frances McDormand as a pregnant Minnesota police chief pursuing two bumbling criminals hired by a car salesman to kidnap his wife.
Emmy Award-winning director Adam Bernstein (30 Rock) will direct the premiere hour Fargo. An Emmy-winner for his work on 30 Rock, Adam Bernstein is a veteran television director whose credits also include Breaking Bad, House of Lies, Californication, Nurse Jackie, United States Of Tara, Scrubs, Bored to Death and Rescue Me. Bernstein will also serve as executive producer on the premiere episode.
Last year, FX announced that it would be producing miniseries and limited series through FX Productions. The network has had tremendous success with traditional drama series, with most of its dramas running seven seasons. By entering the limited series business, FX can produce dramatic programs that have shorter runs – one, two or three seasons – and offer talented filmmakers more freedom.
FX LANDS OSCAR® WINNER BILLY BOB THORNTON FOR LEAD IN FARGO
Thornton to Star as “Lorne Malvo” in the 10-Part Limited Series of the
Adaptation of the Classic Award-Winning Feature Film of the Same Title
Limited Series Adapted for Television by Novelist/Writer Noah Hawley
Joel & Ethan Coen, Noah Hawley, Warren Littlefield,
and Geyer Kosinski are Executive Producers
FX Productions and MGM Television to Produce 10 Episodes
Production Begins this Fall with the Series Slated to Premiere Spring 2014
BEVERLY HILLS, August 2, 2013 – Academy Award® winning writer/producer and Academy Award and Golden Globe® Award nominated actor Billy Bob Thornton has signed on to star in the FX limited series Fargo, an adaptation of the classic Academy Award winning feature film of the same title by Joel & Ethan Coen, it was announced today by John Landgraf, CEO of FX Networks and FX Productions. Production begins this fall in Canada and the series is slated to premiere next spring on FX.
Thornton will play "Lorne Malvo," a rootless, manipulative man who meets a small town insurance salesman and sets him on a path of destruction.
Thornton won the Academy Award for Outstanding Screenplay for Sling Blade, for which he also was nominated for Best Supporting Actor, and he was also nominated for Best Supporting Actor for A Simple Plan. He has four Golden Globe acting nominations for The Man Who Wasn’t There, A Simple Plan, Bandits, and Bad Santa.
A 10-episode limited series inspired by the film, FX’s Fargo will feature an all-new “true crime” story, with the series following a new case and new characters, all entrenched in the trademark humor, murder and “Minnesota nice” that has made the film an enduring classic. Fargo is written by Noah Hawley. Executive Producers are Joel & Ethan Coen, Warren Littlefield, and Geyer Kosinski. Fargo is produced by FX Productions and MGM Television.
MGM Television will handle worldwide distribution of the series outside of the U.S. and Canada.
Fargo, released in 1996, was nominated for seven Academy Awards® and won for Best Original Screenplay for Joel & Ethan Coen and Best Actress for Frances McDormand. It was named as one of the 100 Greatest American Movies by the American Film Institute. A wildly unique blend of comedy, drama and thriller, the film starred Frances McDormand as a pregnant Minnesota police chief pursuing two bumbling criminals hired by a car salesman to kidnap his wife.
Emmy Award-winning director Adam Bernstein (30 Rock) will direct the premiere hour Fargo. An Emmy-winner for his work on 30 Rock, Adam Bernstein is a veteran television director whose credits also include Breaking Bad, House of Lies, Californication, Nurse Jackie, United States Of Tara, Scrubs, Bored to Death and Rescue Me. Bernstein will also serve as executive producer on the premiere episode.
Last year, FX announced that it would be producing miniseries and limited series through FX Productions. The network has had tremendous success with traditional drama series, with most of its dramas running seven seasons. By entering the limited series business, FX can produce dramatic programs that have shorter runs – one, two or three seasons – and offer talented filmmakers more freedom.
08-03-13 | 10:00 AM
#18
re: Fargo (FX, premieres 4/15/2014)
Take note CBS...
08-03-13 | 10:17 AM
#19
Thread Starter
DVD Talk Legend
re: Fargo (FX, premieres 4/15/2014)
Cool, I'm down for a 10 part mini series. I like Thornton as well
08-03-13 | 12:50 PM
#20
DVD Talk Hero
re: Fargo (FX, premieres 4/15/2014)
I am willing to give it a shot. First episode better be damn good.
08-05-13 | 01:47 AM
#23
DVD Talk Legend
08-05-13 | 08:59 AM
#24
Moderator
08-05-13 | 09:08 AM
#25
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
re: Fargo (FX, premieres 4/15/2014)
The looks incredibly promising. Can't wait.