It was just over a week ago that Lucy Lawless told Hitfix that she’d like to see her iconic “Xena: Warrior Princess” return to television. Now, The Hollywood Reporter brings word that NBC is developing a new “Xena” series alongside the original series’ creators and executive producers Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert! Although a new star is apparently being sought to play the lead, Lawless is tentatively planned to appear as well both in front of and behind the camera. Husband and wife, Tapert and Lawless were married during the original series’ run.
“In a time of ancient gods, warlords and kings,” read the opening narration at the beginning of every episode of “Xena: Warrior Princess,” “a land in turmoil cried out for a hero. She was Xena, a mighty princess forged in the heat of battle. The power…the passion…the danger. Her courage will change the world.”
Inspired by Greek mythology and filtered through a tongue-in-cheek blend of action and slapstick, “Xena” also starred Renne O’Connor as Gabrielle, Xena’s companion and traveling bard, with frequent appearances by Ted Raimi (Sam Raimi’s brother) as Joxer and Bruce Campbell as Autolycus, the King of Thieves. Lawless and Campbell are already set to work together on the upcoming Starz series, “Ash vs Evil Dead.” Also produced by Raimi and Tapert, you can check out the trailer for that show right here.
Can you imagine anyone else wielding Xena’s chakram? Share your potential casting thoughts in the comments below and check back for more details on the new “Xena” as they develop!
UPDATE: Lawless herself has chimed in via her official Twitter account and her comments suggest that a new “Xena” series is far from a sure thing at this stage:
Sorry, friends! news of a #Xena reboot is just a rumor. I’d love it to happen one day but it’s still in the wishful thinking stage.
— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) July 20, 2015
