Quantum Leap reboot given pilot order by NBC

There have been rumblings of a reboot of the classic sci-fi series Quantum Leap for some time and the project has now taken a big leap (sorry) forward.

NBC has given a pilot order to the Quantum Leap reboot that will be written and executive produced by Steven Lilien and Bryan Wynbrandt, co-showrunners of La Brea. The new series will be set in the present day, nearly thirty years since Dr. Sam Beckett (Scott Bakula) stepped into the Quantum Leap accelerator and vanished. A new team has been assembled to restart the project in the hopes of understanding the mysteries behind the machine and the man who created it. Scott Bakula isn’t attached to the Quantum Leap reboot at this time, but he is aware of the project and has had conversations about his potential involvement.

Scott Bakula said last year that there were “very significant conversations” about a Quantum Leap reboot. “The rights were a mess for years,” Bakula said. “I don’t know if they’re even sorted out now. That’s always been the biggest complication.” Bakula added that he’s spoken with Quantum Leap creator Don Bellisario from time to time over the years about bringing the series back.

And he would always say, ‘I can’t write it without thinking of you and Dean [Stockwell].’ I said, ‘Just think about me and Dean and write your show. Get it out there. If you have an idea, just write it. I am sure it will be great. I don’t know what that idea would be if we did.’

Dean Stockwell starred alongside Scott Bakula as Al, best friend of Dr. Sam Beckett, but sadly died late last year. The very nature of the series lends itself to a reboot, and if Scott Bakula is able to get involved down the road, Dr. Beckett may finally be able to leap home, something he was never able to do in the original series.