It’s been nearly three years since the last episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000 aired on Netflix, but series creator Joel Hodgson isn’t done making fun of critically-reviled B-movies just yet. Once again, Hodgson is calling on fans worldwide to help finance additional episodes of the beloved cult TV show with a brand new Kickstarter campaign.
MST3K isn’t a stranger to the world of crowdfunding. In fact, that’s exactly how the series emerged from an 18-year hiatus in 2017. Following a successful Kickstarter that raised more than $6 million from over 48,000 backers, the series returned on Netflix with Jonah Ray as the new host. Unfortunately, this new incarnation of the show lasted only two seasons. But it sounds like the potential revival is hoping to do things a little differently this time.
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Hodgson laid out his pitch for the revival in a new video found on the Kickstarter’s official page. Appearing alongside Ray as well as Tom Servo and Crow T. Robot, Hodgson explained that the new goal is to launch their own platform, dubbed “The Gizmoplex,” for new episodes of MST3K. Described as an online theater, The Gizmoplex will allow the series’ creators to fund and release episodes themselves without the backing of a major network or streaming service. The platform would also let them air new episodes as soon as they’re finished as opposed to the Netflix model of releasing entire seasons at once. According to Hodgson, if the campaign succeeds, the first of these episodes could premiere as early as this fall.
Hodgson’s base goal is $2 million, which is enough to finance three new MST3K episodes plus the Gizmoplex’s initial launch. However, exceeding this goal will lead to more episodes. If fans raise $3.3 million, then the episode count expands to six. That would also allow the creators to develop Gizmoplex mobile apps. If $4.4 million is raised, then fans will get nine episodes and a full year of live events. Finally $5.5 million will result in 12 episodes along with 12 new short films. So far, the campaign has netted over $700,000 in donations. Fans can chip in here until Friday, May 7 at 11pm EDT.
Are you planning on backing the new MST3K revival campaign? Let us know in the comments down below!
Recommended Reading: Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Comic
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