With Apple looking to dip their toes into the original programming pool, it should come as no surprise that the mega-media giant is aiming to sink its fangs into a number of high-profile properties to help kick their initiative off with a bang. Today, we've learned that Apple is interested in rebooting Steven Spielberg's AMAZING STORIES for a series treatment with Bryan Fuller under Jamie Erlicht & Zack Van Amburg, heads of the newly formed worldwide video programming division, for the company's forthcoming launch.
As you may or may not recall, AMAZING STORIES aired from 1985-87 courtesy of NBC. The new iteration, which had been established two year ago at NBC, would find HANNIBAL and AMERICAN GODS' Bryan Fuller in the writer's chair with Amblin TV’s Darryl Frank and Justin Falvey executively producing in a partnership with Fuller. Meanwhile, Spielberg’s Amblin TV and Universal TV will present the series to audiences.
Recently, Jennifer Salke, President, NBC Entertainment, who oversees Universal TV offered a comment about the project by saying, “It’s wonderful to be reunited with our colleagues Zack and Jamie in their new capacity at Apple. We love being at the forefront of Apple’s investment in scripted programming, and can’t think of a better property than Spielberg’s beloved Amazing Stories franchise with the genius of Bryan Fuller at the helm and more exciting creative partnerships to come.”
Back in the day, AMAZING STORIES had received a two-season order, though a lack of viewership led to the show being canceled. In time, the program achieved something of a cult following, as Spielberg fans rejoiced in the offbeat anthology series. What I find interesting is that the show also managed to win five Emmy awards, including one for guest actor John Lithgow. Spielberg himself was also given an Emmy nod for his directorial efforts in relation to the memorable World War II-themed episode “The Mission.”
So how did such a celebrated show manage to be canceled? The answer to that question can be summed up in three words: MURDER SHE WROTE. That's right, the Angela Lansbury-led mystery drama beat the pants off of AMAZING STORIES in the ratings, signaling to NBC that maybe they should focus their efforts elsewhere as a result.
You can expect to hear more about AMAZING STORIES as the deal is finalized and casting announcements for the new anthology series begin to surface. In the meantime, be sure to check out Steven Spielberg's theatrical adaptation of Ernest Cline's READY PLAYER ONE beginning on March 30, 2018.