Earlier this month we told you that a radical reboot of The Munsters is being developed by Pushing Daisies creator Bryan Fuller for NBC and we discussed whether or not the show deserved to be brought back in our Blast Off Podcast #4. We had our reservations on creating an hour-long drama out of what was widely known as a 1960′s slapstick comedy that starred Fred Gwynne and Yvonne De Carlo. We imagine you do too. But what would you say if Bryan Singer (Jack the Giant Killer), director of X-Men, X2, and producer/co-writer of X-Men: First Class (You know, all the good ones) was heavily involved in The Munsters reboot too?
The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed that a deal is close to being finalized that will bring on the director/producer/writer on to direct and executive produce The Munsters with Fuller. Together they plan to make an edgier and darker take that will explore the origins of Herman and Lily Munster. Singer’s experience with television includes producing House for Fox and ABC’s Dirty Sexy Money; he also directed the pilots for House and ABC’s Football Wives. So with Singer brought on board, does that alleviate any fears of this reboot?
It’s hard to have a strong feeling either way given so many concepts seem silly on paper. I’ve never been a strong advocate of reboots, especially with shows that have such a strong identity in specific eras. The mere mention of The Munsters and one knows exactly when that show aired and what that show was. I would hate to see that watered down by a reboot, especially if it’s tragically unsuccessful. Comparisons will be made from the beginning, fans have too many cultural touchstones that they want to remain pure. There are a lot of problems with trying to rekindle or manufacture that magic instead of letting it have a life of its own. Regardless of Singer, Fuller or anyone else, this reboot should not be made.
So why is my curiosity being tickled? I’m a sucker for serialized dramas and there’s no way of knowing if that will be Fuller and Singer’s take on The Munsters, but the more I think about it, and the creative forces involved, the more I want to see it. The original 1964 show was such a silly concept that was helped by being in black and white, and that audiences embraced silly concepts like showing the home life of a family of monsters. Consider that Leave It To Beaver was on the air, and that it’s rival show, The Addams Family was also popular, the tone of television shows have come a long way since then. Or has it? Shows like Once Upon a Time and Grimm have widened viewers’ palettes on network television. If Fuller and now Singer create some type of drama-genre-bending hybrid, something that hits the tone of CW’s Supernatural or Being Human (monsters trying to live normal lives) on Syfy, then the genre show fan inside me has one eyebrow raised.
Perhaps there’s a chance this could work. I would rather that this new version of The Munsters would travel far, okay, really far away from the original. Change up the tone, the look, hell, change the name of the show if just to give it a fair shot. If Fuller and Singer are allowed the freedom and the time to flesh their ideas out, then my affection towards their older work will carry me into a pilot and at least a month’s worth of shows.
But part of me is fearful that this is being produced for NBC, whose identity is currently lost; they cancel marginal series in the blink of an eye. It’s the same network that tried to bring Wonder Woman back on the air, a concept that was tragically “re-imagined” by David E. Kelly. Will it be a show set in the 1960′s or will it be more contemporary? Will it bear any resemblance of a sitcom or will it try to go for something along the lines of a Joss Whedon show?
Knowing Fuller’s work on Pushing Daisies–one of the most visually interesting shows that thrived in high definition but never found its audience–I strangely want to see this reboot come to life. I will say this though, Singer’s involvement has me more hopeful, especially if he and Fuller are on the same page creatively. Outside of Superman Returns and to a certain degree, Valkyrie, Singer has been involved with projects I generally like. There is a certain style and appeal that translates well and ages well. The Usual Suspects, Apt Pupil, are still really excellent to watch and Jack the Giant Killer features a cast I genuinely adore–hopefully it’s a hit of the summer of 2012.
Even though X-Men: First Class was ultimately Matthew Vaughn’s film, the fact that Singer was involved on the back end of the film and the beginning of the story development brought it some faith and confidence in a film franchise that was thought to be dead after he departed and Brett Ratner brought that dreadful film X3 The Last Stand to life. That’s what he brings to the table. That’s a good thing for The Munsters.
I hope he’s not just being used to jump start the series, a la J.J. Abrams, but this is a concept Fuller has been shopping around for awhile. It may ultimately be his show front to back. For now The Munsters is pushing forward and expect casting news to follow; those decisions may determine how dark, edgy, or funny the series really is. Until then, we continue to speculate.
What about you? Are you encouraged by the addition of Bryan Singer? Would you rather Hollywood just come up with something new, or is this a reboot that is different enough that would draw you in? Share your thoughts below.
