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‘Zombieland’ Is Being Turned into TV Series

New project means the possibility of a sequel has gone down considerably

Oct 20, 2011 11:19 GMT  ·  By
“Zombieland” sequel won’t be made because a TV series is in the works, reports say
   “Zombieland” sequel won’t be made because a TV series is in the works, reports say

Since October 2009, zombie movie fans have been waiting and hoping for a sequel to the uniquely quirky and smart “Zombieland.” Despite reports to the contrary, it has now emerged that a sequel won’t be made since the concept is now being adapted for TV.

In fact, saying it’s being “adapted for TV” is a bit of a stretch, since “Zombieland” was initially created to become a television series.

Now, after it proved to be a hit on the big screen and since zombie shows on the small screen are gaining in popularity, it was to be expected for another project to be picked up.

CraveOnline says that project is “Zombieland,” with the original writers now in talks to make the story of the film suitable for TV again.

“Fox and Sony Pictures Television are in negotiations to put a ‘Zombieland’ TV series into development for the 2012-2013 season. ‘Zombieland’ would be a half-hour comedy, with the original screenwriters Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick already signed for the project,” the e-zine says.

Gavin Polone, the producer of “Zombieland,” has already confirmed the news, saying the initial idea was to come up with a good television series.

Speaking of which, Polone says, “Zombieland” was initially pitched to CBS in 2005, but they turned it down – or would have done it with too many modifications.

“The original plan for this was to make it as a TV show. But they did what networks do, which is to take all the good stuff out,” he says.

Now that the film grossed over $100 million (€72.8 million) since release and has developed quite a following, networks are interested in it again.

There’s a downside to making a television series on the same idea, with almost the same team: it makes a sequel impossible.

“If the TV show goes, then the sequel won’t happen,” Polone says.

Whereas the writers are on board the new project, the original cast will probably be replaced in its entirety. Some may even argue that a “Zombieland” without Jesse Eisenberg, Emma Stone and Woody Harrelson makes little sense but, as always, only time will tell.