Westworld -- The News, Rumors, Casting, Discussion Thread [Possible Spoilers]
08-30-13, 06:40 PM
#1
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Westworld -- The News, Rumors, Casting, Discussion Thread [Possible Spoilers]
http://www.deadline.com/2013/08/west...-abrams-pilot/
In one of the biggest commitments ever for HBO, the pay cable network has nabbed Westworld, a 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. It marks the first major cable sale for Bad Robot, which had been focused on broadcast TV for the past few years with such series as Fringe, Person Of Interest, Revolution and the upcoming Believe. Written by Nolan and Lisa Joy (Burn Notice), Westworld is described as a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the future of sin. WME-repped Nolan is set to direct the pilot, which he and UTA-repped Joy will executive produce with Abrams, Weintraub and Bryan Burk. Kathy Lingg is co-executive producing, while Athena Wickam serves as a producer. Warner Bros TV is producing with Bad Robot, Jerry Weintraub Prods. and Kilter Films.
You all know who JJ is. Nolan is Christopher's brother and the creator and executive Producer of Person of Interest. It's cool that Nolan is also directing the Pilot.
Depending on who they cast, this could potentially be really interesting.
This seems like pretty much a sure thing. If this doesn't get picked up by HBO, I would be shocked.
In one of the biggest commitments ever for HBO, the pay cable network has nabbed Westworld, a 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. It marks the first major cable sale for Bad Robot, which had been focused on broadcast TV for the past few years with such series as Fringe, Person Of Interest, Revolution and the upcoming Believe. Written by Nolan and Lisa Joy (Burn Notice), Westworld is described as a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the future of sin. WME-repped Nolan is set to direct the pilot, which he and UTA-repped Joy will executive produce with Abrams, Weintraub and Bryan Burk. Kathy Lingg is co-executive producing, while Athena Wickam serves as a producer. Warner Bros TV is producing with Bad Robot, Jerry Weintraub Prods. and Kilter Films.
Depending on who they cast, this could potentially be really interesting.
This seems like pretty much a sure thing. If this doesn't get picked up by HBO, I would be shocked.
08-30-13, 06:58 PM
#3
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
re: Westworld -- The News, Rumors, Casting, Discussion Thread [Possible Spoilers]
I like it. I'm a fan of the film, and even the sequel Futureworld was pretty good.
I do have to wonder how it would work as a series, especially since this isn't the first attempt. In 1980, there was a show called Beyond Westworld on CBS. It was canceled after 3 episodes aired, and only 5 were produced.
That being said, they have the right people on board for this.
I do have to wonder how it would work as a series, especially since this isn't the first attempt. In 1980, there was a show called Beyond Westworld on CBS. It was canceled after 3 episodes aired, and only 5 were produced.
That being said, they have the right people on board for this.
08-30-13, 08:12 PM
#4
re: Westworld -- The News, Rumors, Casting, Discussion Thread [Possible Spoilers]
I'm hoping they deal with the actual development of the world before customers come in. That would be cool to see.
08-30-13, 09:14 PM
#5
DVD Talk Special Edition
re: Westworld -- The News, Rumors, Casting, Discussion Thread [Possible Spoilers]
As long as they don't take funding away from GoT... don't mess with the golden goose.
08-30-13, 09:41 PM
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re: Westworld -- The News, Rumors, Casting, Discussion Thread [Possible Spoilers]
Is this really expensive?
Just wondering how a pilot is "one of the biggest commitments ever for HBO".
Just wondering how a pilot is "one of the biggest commitments ever for HBO".
08-30-13, 11:23 PM
#7
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
re: Westworld -- The News, Rumors, Casting, Discussion Thread [Possible Spoilers]
I guess if they're gonna fuck up one of my favorite movies, I'd rather they did this than a remake.
08-31-13, 09:19 AM
#8
DVD Talk Hero
re: Westworld -- The News, Rumors, Casting, Discussion Thread [Possible Spoilers]
Interesting that HBO is getting more into fantasy and sci-fi. Can a space show be far behind? I hope not.
08-31-13, 10:06 AM
#9
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
re: Westworld -- The News, Rumors, Casting, Discussion Thread [Possible Spoilers]
A cable-based Bad Robot production, created by the creator of Person of Interest? I'm there.
08-31-13, 12:41 PM
#11
re: Westworld -- The News, Rumors, Casting, Discussion Thread [Possible Spoilers]
I'll give it a shot, but I would've been more excited by a movie remake. I thought WB had been developing one for years, but I guess that'll be on hold. Maybe they'll use this series to gauge interest.
08-31-13, 03:34 PM
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re: Westworld -- The News, Rumors, Casting, Discussion Thread [Possible Spoilers]
I was a bit young at the time but I enjoyed Westworld. JJ Abrams kind of scares me since Lost though.
Dare I say over-rated?
Dare I say over-rated?
08-31-13, 05:46 PM
#13
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re: Westworld -- The News, Rumors, Casting, Discussion Thread [Possible Spoilers]
DEADWOOD with robots. Imagine spending a weekend in Deadwood. Instead of a glitch causing the robots to just go berserk, the bots could become self aware like Cylons or something. The robots could have individual personalities and relationships when alone, but revert to character when a guest is around, putting on a show.
08-31-13, 05:53 PM
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re: Westworld -- The News, Rumors, Casting, Discussion Thread [Possible Spoilers]
This concept doesn't really work as a series. Maybe a limited series. But yes, i would have preferred a movie remake.
08-31-13, 07:34 PM
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re: Westworld -- The News, Rumors, Casting, Discussion Thread [Possible Spoilers]
DEADWOOD with robots. Imagine spending a weekend in Deadwood. Instead of a glitch causing the robots to just go berserk, the bots could become self aware like Cylons or something. The robots could have individual personalities and relationships when alone, but revert to character when a guest is around, putting on a show.
Replace JJ with Vince Gilligan while we're at it.
08-31-13, 10:29 PM
#16
DVD Talk Special Edition
re: Westworld -- The News, Rumors, Casting, Discussion Thread [Possible Spoilers]
The best part of the movie was the end when Yul Brynner goes all Terminator on Richard Benjamin.
I've lost patience for shows that are 95% filler. This sounds like a concept that will be stretched way thin over a series.
I've lost patience for shows that are 95% filler. This sounds like a concept that will be stretched way thin over a series.
09-01-13, 06:03 AM
#17
Challenge Guru & Comic Nerd
re: Westworld -- The News, Rumors, Casting, Discussion Thread [Possible Spoilers]
Normally this would be great news; but if it's delaying him working on Micronauts then f everyone involved.
09-01-13, 12:54 PM
#19
DVD Talk God
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re: Westworld -- The News, Rumors, Casting, Discussion Thread [Possible Spoilers]
I'm going to assume this will get no more than 8-10 episodes tops.
With Nolan still heavily involved with Person of Interest, I don't think he can shoot this Pilot until POI's next hiatus. Probably Spring 2014.
With Nolan still heavily involved with Person of Interest, I don't think he can shoot this Pilot until POI's next hiatus. Probably Spring 2014.
10-08-13, 01:51 PM
#20
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10-08-13, 02:02 PM
#21
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re: Westworld -- The News, Rumors, Casting, Discussion Thread [Possible Spoilers]
Glad to see HBO looks to continue their approach of investing in shows that come with high production costs. I remember reading a while back that they lost so much money with Rome and Carnivale (both were very expensive to produce) that they scaled back costs for subsequent shows that followed (Tell Me You Love Me, John from Cincinnati, etc.).
They obviously tried again with Game of Thrones and with it's enormous success, looks like HBO is comfortable enough to expand with another show (assuming of course that Westworld comes with expensive production costs).
They obviously tried again with Game of Thrones and with it's enormous success, looks like HBO is comfortable enough to expand with another show (assuming of course that Westworld comes with expensive production costs).
10-09-13, 06:01 AM
#23
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re: Westworld -- The News, Rumors, Casting, Discussion Thread [Possible Spoilers]
Glad to see HBO looks to continue their approach of investing in shows that come with high production costs. I remember reading a while back that they lost so much money with Rome and Carnivale (both were very expensive to produce) that they scaled back costs for subsequent shows that followed (Tell Me You Love Me, John from Cincinnati, etc.).
07-11-14, 02:10 PM
#24
DVD Talk Legend
re: Westworld -- The News, Rumors, Casting, Discussion Thread [Possible Spoilers]
https://twitter.com/EricIGN/status/487344274896216064
Eric Goldman
@EricIGN
HBO just mentioned piloting Westworld (from Jonathan Nolan and J.J. Abrams), which I am greatly curious about. #TCA14
https://twitter.com/EricIGN/status/487347038787354624
Eric Goldman
@EricIGN
Westworld will film this summer. Casting happening soon. Same basic idea of amusement park w/ robots but tonally different from film. #TCA14
Eric Goldman
@EricIGN
HBO just mentioned piloting Westworld (from Jonathan Nolan and J.J. Abrams), which I am greatly curious about. #TCA14
https://twitter.com/EricIGN/status/487347038787354624
Eric Goldman
@EricIGN
Westworld will film this summer. Casting happening soon. Same basic idea of amusement park w/ robots but tonally different from film. #TCA14
07-11-14, 07:03 PM
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re: Westworld -- The News, Rumors, Casting, Discussion Thread [Possible Spoilers]
This is my thinking as well. I'll reserve judgment, but it doesn't seem like the 'futuristic-amusement-park-goes-haywire' plotline would suffice for a series, so they'll have to go in a whole other direction. I'll certainly give it a shot, in any case.
