A Matt LeBlanc Sci-Fi Flop Failed To Revive A Classic Television Series

Although We live “Newstalgia”, “ If old programs and movies are re-presented to the younger audience as if they were new, the truth is that Hollywood has been in Newstalgia since its inception. Sure, streaming has taken over the industry’s extra trust to utilize existing IP at the heights of the stratosphere, but studios have always turned into established franchise values ​​and hits to navigate their way through the uncertain waters of the flag.

“Lost in Space” is a great example. What started in the CBS TV series in 1965-68 has been revised several times since its first presentation, and the plans for meeting TV movies almost realized. But it wasn’t until the end of the 90s that anyone really produces a new “lost space” content that did it for the masses. Unfortunately, this was not one of Hollywood’s most successful re -examinations.

Based on Johann David Wyss’s 1812 Johann David Wyss “The Swiss Family Robinson”, the “Lost in Space” series, created by producer Irwin Allen, became a significant hit for the CBS in the 60s. Although it never quite achieved the modern “Star Trek” heights, the family and their robot’s shattering space, which is in that generation, a rabot that resembles it as an important part of the cultural fabric of the time. Syndical agreements ensured that the cult -hijacking of the public remained in some form in some form in the following decades, although “Lost in Space”, in which at one point there was a young Kurt Russell, Kosta never became a sensation that CBS undoubtedly hoped for it when it passed “Star Trek” on the exhibition of the exhibition of cosmic colonists who were forced to survive in an uncharted state. The program lasted three seasons before cancellation in 1968.

In the late ’90s, the New Line decided that “lost space” nostalgia, combined with a sci-fi genre, usually a fertile field return to revoke a series of canceled series Gary Oldman, William Hurt and “friends” stars, which was at the height of the power. Everything seemed to be in place so that the “Lost in Space” movie became a phenomenon that it always seemed to be able to be. So what happened?

When the new line decided to revive “Lost in Space” in the late 90s, the company was in the idea of ​​all-in. At that time, the original “Lost in Space” series was consistently on the sci -fi channel (current Syfy) since July 1993, holding the 9:00 place and New Line, making sure the new generation of viewers was visited by the exhibition. But older fans who had grown with the Robinson family that the new line was really eager to participate. Before the movie’s release, studio TV president Bob Friedman explained the thinking behind the project VarietyBy saying, “There are 70 million baby-age classmates who remember the original” lost space “because it combines a family adventure with sci-fi.”

In addition to the nostalgia element, the new line apparently founded its wish for the film’s success in observation that half of the top ten of all time was sci-fi or sci-fi: “ET outside,” Jedi and “Independence Day”, “” Jurassic Park “,” “and” Independence Day “. It was certainly” lost space “.

The new line certainly thought so. Friedman even revealed to Variety that he negotiated with the network to produce two television series behind the film, one animated and one live feature, when TV-Exo stated how both “The Mask” and “Dumb & Dumber”, two at that time, had produced successful animated spin-offs. The “Major advertiser” had even been equated with buying advertising time in exhibitions. Then there were goods that the company was responsible for producing “Independence Day” toys Lost in Space “, while publishers logged in to produce books in the series.

At the same time, “Friends” star Matt Leblanc was hired to increase the film’s petition among younger viewers. The actor had still really burst into his role as Joey Tribbiani’s product in the legendary NBC -NBC, which was as popular at the time as he had ever been (in other words, no global sensation). In addition to setting the “lost space” to convert IP into a full-length franchise, then it was also a movie that turned the beloved TV friend Leblanc Bonafide movie star. What could go wrong?

To ensure the success of the “Lost In Space” series, the new line was planning to upgrade the image of the Campy -60s, with respectable effects company industrial light and magic to create visual effects alongside Jim Henson Productions for creatures. At William Hurn, the lead role of Professor John Robinson and Gary Oldman, who played Zachary Smith, the Doctor of Konna, Matt Leblanc also made sure that the audience was also given great men’s energy by depicting Maverick pilot Don West.

When the film made his debut on April 3, 1998, things certainly didn’t look too bad. “Lost in Space” was an unlikely flop that really managed to remove “Titanic” in the box office and it decided to do $ 136 million In a $ 80 million budget. But flop, it was. Multiple camels Surviving Actors from the original series “Lost in Space” series Critics could not save the movie that decided New Line’s attempts to update the camp’s original and take the whole thing seriously. The direction of Stephen Hopkins also did not affect the evaluators who gave a low 27% Rotten tomatoes Score in the movie. Needless to say, “Lost in Space” was not the biggest revival of the IP -Uus line, which he had hoped that it did not need the main movie debut Leblanc.

In recent years, Netflix managed to give a “Lost in Space” more valuable revival with a three -season streaming set It was much well received than a movie. Whether or not this proves that Robinson Family Story is more suited to a small screen or not is controversial, but it will certainly look like recent development in this way. Of course, just because something didn’t work for the first time does not mean that Hollywood lets it rest, so in the future we may see a new company on a big screen “lost in space”. Perhaps anyone who produces the number is actually waiting for the number before the development starts with spin-off.