NBC is in the early stages of developing a modern reboot of “Xena: Warrior Princess” with original executive producers Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The network is currently seeking writers for the reboot and it is unclear what role Lucy Lawless, the original star, will have in the series. Lawless has been vocal about her desire to return to the roll, hinting at a revival series for years and reiterating that at this month’s Comic-Con International. The new Xena is described as “a sophisticated and smart superhero for a new generation,” having “the charisma and charm of Lawless and the smarts of ‘The Hunger Games” Katniss.”
Xena debuted on the 1995 “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys” episode “Unchained Hearts.” Originally intended to die off in her first appeared, the character was instead spun off into her own syndicated series that aired from 1995 to 2001. The heroine spent her days traveling with companion Gabrielle (Renee O’Connor), battling injustice in all forms from man to monster to myth. Since the show ended, rumors have swirled about a big-screen version that hasn’t panned out yet. However, Xena has appeared in a straight-to-video animated movie with Herc, a series of novels, various video games and comic series’ from Topps Comics, Dark Horse and Dynamite Entertainment.
Lawless has kept busy since the 2001 Xena finale. After a series of TV movies and guest spots she played D’Anna Biers on “Battlestar Galactica,” voiced Wonder Woman in the direct-to-video “New Frontier” animated movie, a role on the short-lived superhero-themed “No Ordinary Family” and appeared as Lucretia in both “Spartacus: Gods of the Arena” and “Spartacus: War of the Damned.” She’s also had a recurring role on “Parks and Recreation” and “Ash vs. the Evil Dead” and appeared on Marvel’s “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”
The network is reportedly eyeing a 2016 date for the new drama.
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