The XENA Reboot Was Happening, Then It Wasn't, But Now It Is. Really? Yes!

Far from the hype stew amid all rumormongering that's happened in the past several years up to last month, ComicBook.com has forwarded news from THR confirming the reboot development of the successful television series, Xena: Warrior Princess. Word initally broke a little over three weeks ago that NBC Universal was planning a reboot of the show which followed with tweets from the principle actress of the preceding series, Lucy Lawless, dismissing the news in a tweet, before the network doubled down.

The latest report quotes NBC Entertainment chairman Bob Greenblatt who told folks at this year's Television Critics Association event that the network is in the early stages, and is, as the inital reports last month suggested, likely heading in a new direction with a writer still in search for a premiere in 2016. Apparently, this is where things might sound a bit complicated, seeing as how the network's "new direction" will comprise of designing their main character in a way that will transcend the "charisma and charm" of Lawless's iteration into a "sophisticated" figure for millenials to relate to by way of Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games.

That likely means they'll be going with a new actress which pretty much undoes any hopes Lawless herself has had in reprising the role. That said, Greenblatt is also cited in his interest in bringing Lawless on board as long as her presence didn't "overshadow the direction" he and the network states they want to go with it.

"I'm not sure how she could be part of it if she wasn't playing Xena," he says. "...and I don't know if that's a direction we'll ever go.".

Translation: As it stands, Lawless might probably be involved at some point...only not as Xena. Assuredly, if they wanted it to work, they would make it so and wouldn't be so focused on appeasing the YA generation of moviegoers fond of female-centric epics. So why dance around the issue?

All in all, if their new formula works with a new actress, so be it. I'd watch it and it'll probably kick tons of ass as long as it transcends the "charisma and charm" of the original series as they hope. Thankfully, Robert Tapert and Sam Raimi are returning to produce this one as well, so their input will be greatly appreciated.

At any rate, this is definitely happening whether some like it or not. It's another fantastic opportunity to set the stage for more stylish action with a beloved heroine now back in the fray. And moreover, hopefully the actress they choose will be a definitive athlete who can not only achieve a delightful performance that will resonate with fans, but also perform the action sequences required with precision and skill. And considering the people I've met in person and the work of those I've seen in my research, there are plenty.

This is going to get interesting. Stick around!

The XENA Series Reboot Was Happening, Then It Wasn't, But Now It Is...Is It?

If you watched television a lot and grew up in the 90's, there's a good chance that co-star of Marvel's Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the upcoming STARZ series horror reboot, Ash VS. The Evil Dead, Kiwi actress Lucy Lawless came under your radar then. Playing the landmark television title role for the hit series, Xena: Warrior Princess, Lawless was integral in establishing a female presence in action entertainment as an original villainess/anti-hero in an epic story that culminated Greek mythology with a worldly scope of fantasy, action and spiritualism.

The series was created and developed by Renaissance Pictures executives Robert Tapert and Sam Raimi at the time, in the company of R. J. Stewart and John Schulian with Lawless appearing opposite actor Kevin Sorbo in his own series, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. Eventually, Xena: Warrior Princess found its audience 1995 and became an Emmy award-winning hit on the small screen throughout its run until the Fall season of 2001.

As it stands, you can safely say there have been endless conversations among fans in favor of the series returning in some capacity, and even Lawless herself engaged a conversation with Den Of Geek (via Comic Book) recently about potentially crowdsourcing it. Personally, I've hoped for a feature film expansion as epic as Lord Of The Rings, although obviously that's not how things would pan out, although fast forward to fourteen years later where a few of the trades began reporting this week about the possibility of NBC bringing the Amazonian avenger back for a modern reboot geared toward today's audiences.

Of course, that was enough to stir the hype and fandom pot stew and get people enthralled with the possibility of seeing Lawless in a role that would nonetheless assure her a place on said new show provided that this news wasn't all bullshit. Alas, it was Lawless herself who tweeted her disbelief Monday evening about the rebooted series as a rumor, citing it as "wishful thinking", although an update from JoBlo assures that NBC and NBC Universal are, in fact, working out the kinks with Tapert and Raimi back to produce.

As confusing as this all feels on its face, it looks like this appears to be happening. As for any role Lawless herself may play in the show's rebooted revival, your guess is as good as mine at this point.

For now, let's just hope this update is one I can continue to build off of, lest this is all just more bunk impluring folks like me to go back and write another tedious article that will disappoint fans of the original show. I confess, as silly as it sounds, sometimes it does get emotional.

H/T: JoBlo