Variety is reporting that the 90’s classic Varsity Blues will be adapted into a TV show for the cable network CMT. The 1999 flick focused on a back-up quarterback (James Van Der Beek) being forced to replace the star player on the team (Paul Walker) due to injury. Through a demanding regiment instigated by the tough as nails Coach Kilmer (Jon Voight), the Beek and his crew learn lessons of life and maturity, while also finding time for some iconic party scenes. Whipped cream bikini, anyone?
Beyond those already mentioned, the original starred Ron Lester, Ali Larter, Scott Caan, Amy Smart, and Richard Lineback. Currently, it has not been announced whether any of the original cast members will be offered a chance to return, or who will star in the TV adaptation. However, it has been confirmed that original scribe W. Peter Iliff will pen the first episode. Iliff performed a similar service for the recent Point Break remake, where he wrote the story for both iterations.
The announcement to adapt Varsity Blues to the small screen follows a slew of recent failed TV adaptations of movies. Rush Hour only lasted one season, as did Minority Report. Beverly Hills Cop never made it to air, while Lethal Weapon is not garnering any momentum from its trailers. The recent remake of MacGuyver was even so poorly received CBS was forced to reshoot the entire pilot with a different director, and new cast members.
It’s not impossible for a TV show based on a movie to succeed, as seen with FX’s Fargo, though based on the graveyard of recent failures, CMT has to deliver the goods if they want the show to have any longevity.
