US network Starz to remake Underbelly
As production begins on the first Underbelly telemovie, The New York Magazine reports that American pay TV network Starz has acquired the US rights to the crime series and is developing a remake, which is “a top priority” for them.
The blog Vulture says Starz CEO Chris Albrecht is “clearly hoping Underbelly’s phenomenal success in Australia can be replicated” in the US, although the remake won’t use the Australian scripts and is instead researching American crime families that could have effective story arcs built around.
The report says that “assuming the right real-life inspiration can be found quickly, a script could be ready well before the end of the year. If Albrecht likes what he sees on the page, insiders say he’s prepared to eschew the usual pilot stage for Underbelly, and go straight to series.”
In Australia, the Nine Network commenced production on the first two-hour telemovie based in the Underbelly Files franchise, entitled Tell Them Lucifer Was Here. It stars Brett Climo, Greg Stone, Paul O’Brien, Todd Lasance, Jane Allsop and Annie Jones, and tells the story of the 1998 murders of Victoria Police officers Rod Miller and Gary Silk.
It will be followed later this year by Infiltration and The Man Who Got Away.
The telemovies are a collaboration between Nine and Screentime, produced by Peter Gawler and Elisa Argenzio – with Des Monagha, Jo Horsburgh and Greg Haddrick as executive producers.
Why can’t they just air the Australian show?
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How can you remake Underbelly as an American show??? It’s based on a true story!
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pathetic, the yanks cant even make there own show any more
they remade the office (utter shite) they remade red dwarf (the worst peice of shit)
they were good british shows, but the yanks are now becoming sad pathetic basterds.
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Why the Hell are Amricans Remaking a good Aussie TV show For?
Haven’t they done enough by ruining Wilfred, The Office, Red Dwarf, Kath & Kim and Life on Mars!
It’s like they refuse to air anything but American made Shows!!!
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