July 20, 2015 12:33pm PT by Lesley Goldberg
'Xena: Warrior Princess' Reboot in the Works at NBC (Exclusive)

Twenty years after it first premiered as a Hercules spinoff, Xena: Warrior Princess could be returning to television.

Sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that NBC and NBC Universal International are prepping a reboot of the beloved Lucy Lawless action-adventure drama. The drama is in the extremely early development stages and a search for a writer is currently underway. Original executive producers Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi are also involved in the project, which is considered as a "modern reboot." It's unclear what, if any, role original star Lawless would have, though sources tell THR that insiders would like the original star to have both a role on screen and behind the scenes. The drama is eyed for 2016. It's too early to know if Xena 2.0 would be a limited 13-episode run similar to Fox's revived 24 or a more standard full-season order. Insiders say the hope is for the new Xena to be an ongoing (read renewable) series.

Sources say the new Xena would have to have the charisma and charm of Lawless and the smarts of The Hunger Games' Katniss as producers are said to be looking for a sophisticated and smart superhero for a new generation.

The original series was produced by Studios USA and international producers Universal Worldwide Television and was distributed by Universal Television. Xena ran in syndication for six seasons from September 1995-June 2001 and originally started as a spinoff from Hercules after producers realized how popular the Xena (Lawless) character was and opted to launch a new series built around the Amazon warrior on a quest for redemption and her trusted companion Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor).

Xena was created by John Schulian and Tapert — Lawless' husband — and produced by Tapert, Sam Raimi and actor Bruce Campbell's Renaissance Pictures, Studios USA and Universal Television, the latter of whom distributed the series in more than 108 countries around the globe. The drama was a cult favorite and ratings hit, ranking in the top five syndicated programs during each of its six seasons.

An extension of the Xena franchise comes as Lawless recently signed on to co-star in Starz's Evil Dead sequel Ash vs. Evil Dead, reuniting her with Xena — and Spartacus — alums Raimi and Tapert.

For her part, Lawless recently told HitFix at Comic-Con — where she was supporting Ash — that "they've got to bring [Xena] back."

"I've been pitching that show … because … there's a swell of interest still," she said. "I'm always being peppered with questions [about] when the Xena movie is coming. Guys, I'm pitching my ass off to make it happen, whether it's with me or not. I think it'd be funny to have a reboot like Ash vs. Evil Dead — like middle-aged Xena in a muumuu with a bad attitude and a smoking habit. … Bring [actor] Ted Raimi [who played Joxer] in … [and maybe] Bruce Campbell."

"I don't know what the hold-up is; it's about who has got the rights," she added. "But that's a piss-poor excuse anymore. Find who has got the rights, freakin' pay it. It's better to have 80 percent of something than 100 percent of nothing. Don't waste this opportunity; reinvigorate that franchise!" she said, stressing the show's international appeal. It's an insane international character. They're fools not to bring it back. It's funny, it's sexy, it's action."

The actress also has been vocal about wanting to play the character again — despite the fact that Xena (spoiler alert) died in the series finale.

For NBC, a Xena reboot could give the network a perfect companion for fellow genre player Grimm on Fridays. The network in recent years has attempted to launch several shows on Fridays at 9 p.m. after Grimm — Constantine, Crossbones, Dracula *— none of which have made it to a second season.

Revisiting Xena comes as reboots continue to be in high demand as broadcast and cable networks alike look to proven commodities (and fan bases) to cut through the clutter in an increasingly competitive scripted landscape. Key to their success is having the original producers involved. For its part, NBC is also readying a Coach follow-up with star Craig T. Nelson. Fox, meanwhile, is bringing The X-Files back in January and has plans to produce another run of Prison Break after successfully reviving 24 on top of its film-to-TV take on Minority Report. Over at CBS, the network will launch a TV remake of Limitless with Bradley Cooper attached and will bow its Rush Hour adaptation come midseason.

Lucy Lawless skirts Xena returning to TV question. Campbell offers his services for a 3-episode return of Autolycus, King of Thieves. #TCA15

— Hero Complex (@LATHeroComplex) July 31, 2015

AUGUST 12, 2015 10:04pm PT by Lesley Goldberg
NBC Boss on 'Xena' Reboot: "We're Looking for a Writer"

NBC's bid to bring Xena: Warrior Princess back to the small screen is still in full swing.

Despite public statements from former star Lucy Lawless, NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the network is looking for a way to reboot the beloved series in which she starred as the warrior princess.

"Yes, we're in the early stages of developing a new take on Xena and we're looking for a writer. We want to do it," Greenblatt told THR on Wednesday night at NBCUniversal's Television Critics Association summer press tour party at Spago.

As THR exclusively reported in July, NBCUniversal International is prepping a Xena reboot with original series executive producers Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi. Sources tell THR that the new, modern Xena would have to have the charisma and charm of Lawless and the smarts of The Hunger Games' Katniss as producers are said to be looking for a sophisticated and smart superhero for a new generation. The potential series is being eyed for 2016.

"I don't think it's just a continuation, but we haven't gotten that far. I think it's a great character and we should try to figure out how to revive it somehow," Greenblatt said, confirming that "there is a deal with Sam and Rob Tapert to produce and it's with NBC International."

While the executive noted that it was too early to tell what the focus for a new Xena would be, he said much of the creative would depend on the writer's vision. Sources indicate that the network is meeting with their top choice for a scribe for the potential series, though who that is is being kept under wraps.

As for whether Lawless would have an on-screen role, Greenblatt noted that he's open to it — on one condition.

"We'd love to have Lucy be a part of it — if we felt that her presence didn't overshadow the direction we take with it. I'm not sure how she could be part of it if she wasn't playing Xena and I don't know if that's a direction we'll ever go," he said, noting that he'd be open to having the actress — who is married to Tapert — involved creatively behind the scenes.

Greenblatt's comments come after Lawless tweeted that news of a Xena reboot was "just a rumor" and told reporters at TCA — where she and Raimi were promoting Starz's Evil Dead sequel Ash vs. Evil Dead — that the trio weren't involved in a reboot.

"They could be doing it without us. They have the right to, don’t they?" she said. "I'd love to see it happen, and I know that NBC wants to do it but they're just trying to find a way and a time."

NBC is moving forward with its Xena: Warrior Princess reboot.

The network has tapped Lost alum Javier Grillo-Marxuach to pen the script for the project, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

Grillo-Marxuach, who was part of the Emmy-winning drama win for Lost in 2004, will exec produce the Xena reboot alongside co-creator Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi, who will oversee the NBC International Television Studios entry via their Ghost House Pictures banner.

Sources tell THR that the reboot will follow a new, modern Xena, with the lead actress needing to have the charisma and charm of original star Lucy Lawless and the smarts of The Hunger Games' Katniss as producers are said to be looking for a sophisticated and smart superhero for a new generation. The potential series is being eyed for 2016.

Lawless, who is married to Tapert, is not currently involved in the NBC reboot.

"We'd love to have Lucy be a part of it — if we felt that her presence didn't overshadow the direction we take with it," NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt told THRin August. "I'm not sure how she could be part of it if she wasn't playing Xena, and I don't know if that's a direction we'll ever go," he said, noting that he'd be open to having the actress — who is married to Tapert — involved creatively behind the scenes."

Xena was created by John Schulian and Tapert and produced by Tapert, Sam Raimiand actor Bruce Campbell's Renaissance Pictures, Studios USA and Universal Television, the latter of which distributed the series in more than 108 countries around the globe. The drama was a cult favorite and ratings hit, ranking in the top five syndicated programs during each of its six seasons.

"I don't think it's just a continuation, but we haven't gotten that far. I think it's a great character, and we should try to figure out how to revive it somehow," Greenblatt said.

For his part, Grillo-Marxuach's credits include a WGA Award for Lost in 2006 best dramatic series and a nomination for the same category a year later. The prolific writer's résumé includes Helix, Charlie's Angels, The Middleman, Medium, Boomtown, The Chronicle and Charmed. He's repped by ICM Partners and Jackoway Tyerman.

Revisiting Xena comes as reboots continue to be in high demand as broadcast and cable networks alike look to proven commodities (and fan bases) to cut through the clutter in an increasingly competitive scripted landscape. Key to their success is having the original producers involved. Fox is bringing The X-Files back in January and has plans to produce another run of Prison Break after successfully reviving 24. Over at CBS, the network has found success with a remake of Limitless with star Bradley Cooper attached as an EP and recurring player and will bow its Rush Hour adaptation come midseason.