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REMAKINGTON — Remakes and reboots are not anything new these days. Seems every week we see a movie release that’s an old movie or TV show. For example, this week we are getting a part four of a series in “Mad Max: Fury Road” and a sequel in “Pitch Perfect 2.” This week also saw the release of the premier trailer for the big-screen remake of the '80s cartoon TV series “Jem and the Holograms.”
While seeing movies get rebooted or remade or even TV shows getting the big-screen treatment isn’t anything new, there is a new fad in Hollywood — and we saw it in full force this week.
It appears the new thing to do in La La Land is to take movies and turn them into TV shows. This last week saw the release of several trailers for upcoming TV shows based off familiar movies.
Here’s a look at some familiar plotlines reformatted to fit your TV screen:
CBS
The trailer for the new series “Supergirl” is pretty much what you’d expect. The series looks like it will have some exciting moments and a few jokes that land here and there. I can’t help but feel, however, that the producers are desperately trying to make a cutesy “girl in the city” sitcom about a girl who happens to be a superhero.
“Supergirl” is actually a comic book, but it was also a mediocre-at-absolute-best-and-that-is-being-generous movie in 1984. While this isn’t a direct remake or expansion of the movie, it’s still a “reboot” of sorts.
“Supergirl” will air Monday nights on CBS.
Photo credit: CBS Entertainment/YouTube
The 2011 film “Limitless” had some intriguing concepts and storylines, but overall the movie was just OK. If you wanted more of the pill that gives you the power to utilize your brain to its full capacity, then you’re in luck.
The new series is actually a continuation of the film, and according to the recently released trailer it will feature the film’s star, Bradley Cooper, in at least one episode.
The TV version varies from the film in that the main character appears to team up with the FBI in an effort to catch bad guys.
“Limitless” will air Tuesday nights on CBS.
Photo credit: CBS Entertainment/YouTube
FOX
The 2001 film “Minority Report” is actually a really solid film from director Steven Spielberg, and instead of a sequel, we’re getting a TV show that will continue the storyline.
The FOX TV series will follow a man who has been trained to see crimes before they happen in an effort to stop them. In the 2001 film Tom Cruise plays a detective who stops these "pre-crimes," as they’re called. The adventure begins when one of the visions of pre-crime sees Cruise’s character as the perpetrator. Long story short, Cruise is the hero and his actions expose the problems with the pre-crimes division and it is then scrapped.
The TV show follows a man who still has these visions and now teams up with officers in an attempt to stop these heinous crimes before they happen, despite the fact this kind of law enforcement is illegal.
The original film was a great sci-fi flick, but something about the trailer for the TV series is missing what made the original great.
“Minority Report” will premier this fall on FOX.
Photo credit: FOX/YouTube
ABC
For those of us who grew up in the '80s and '90s, “Uncle Buck” is a movie that is worth watching mainly due to nostalgia. Well, that and some great moments from John Candy.
The movie tells the tale of a couple headed out of down to take care of a suddenly sick relative, and they're in desperate need of a babysitter for their three kids. Finally they decide to go with their fun but unreliable and immature family member, Uncle Buck.
The movie really does have some great moments that will make you laugh and get the tiniest bit emotional. ABC is now making an “Uncle Buck” TV show that follows the same basic premise with Mike Epps as the titular Buck instead of Candy.
The trailer has a few moments that make you laugh, and it appears the pilot episode will more or less be an updated half-hour version of the film. As for the rest of the season, it looks like Buck will become the kids' live-in nanny.
A part of me wants to just pass this one off as a swing and a miss, but we should probably give it the benefit of the doubt. The premise sets up some fun scenarios and Epps definitely has his moments.
Photo credit: ABC/YouTube
These are just a few shows based on movies that are headed to the small screen. Other shows include “Scream” on MTV as well as a show that’s already running on CBS, “The Odd Couple.”
Also, don’t forget old TV shows that are headed back to your set, including “The Muppets” and “Heroes Reborn” as well as “The X-Files” next year.
John has been writing about movies, news, sports and pretty much anything awesome for more than five years. John is the co-host of the Flix Junkies podcast and will always entertain you with his stories. John is an alumnus of both Utah Valley University and BYU. He, his wife and their two children call Salt Lake City home.