Kevin Smith Wants to Make a Buckaroo Banzai TV Show

[The Nth Doctor]

According to io9, Kevin Smith said in his podcast that he wants to turn the cult classic into a TV show.

“Basically you just do the entire movie for season one, then season two you finally do the sequel we’ve all dreamed about, Buckaroo Banzai Against the World Crime League.”

He also wants to bring back as many of the original cast members on the show, but as new characters, as villains.

I'm of two minds on this. On the one hand, I love the film and I can see the potential of doing something incredibly off-the-walls insane in lieu of the film's spirit. On the other hand, I can't stand Kevin Smith (Dogma being the one exception).

That said, if the show does come to pass, I love the idea of bringing back the original cast as villains, especially the king of villains, Clancy Brown. And I'll watch anything with Jeff Goldblum.

 

[FPAlpha]

Well.. he should stay off the fan waggon and do his own thing because that's now a pretty obscure film only known to the very few fans the movie has. Too many easter eggs and "wink wink" situations and you lose the general audience.

Good luck.. if there's anything Smith can do well it's writing screenplays and i'd definitely check it out if it ever makes past the dream stage and ends up being produced.

 

[JD]

I doubt it would ever happen, but it would be awesome if it did.

 

[RAMA]

http://comicbook.com/2016/05/16/kevin-smith-adapting-buckaroo-banzai-for-television/

It looks like its well on it's way to happening.

 

[JD]

The CBR article says that MGM is looking for a home for it, so I don't know if it's 100% guarenteed that it'll happen yet.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

As long as Peter Weller still gets to play Buckaroo, I'm in.

 

[Mr Light]

I love Kevin Smith, and I love Buckaroo Banzai, so count me in! Less crazy about the entire first season being a remake of the movie though. I'd rather see new stuff...

 

[shapeshifter]

Sounds like a good plan.

I like the movie adapted as first season idea. Fargo season one wasn't boring at all despite knowing the material, it really fleshed out the movie themes in new and surprising ways. I hope this happens!

 

[Tosk]

^Except season one of Fargo wasn't the movie again. It was a sequel to it.

I personally think his idea to redo the film as season one is terrible. So when the show inevitably sinks, all we have to show for it is a re-tread? Just jump straight into brand new material, dammit.

I also hope it's completely re-cast. As much as I love the film, I'm not sure a 70 year old Buckaroo will cut it.

 

[Push The Button]

He needs to keep Jay and Silent Bob out of it.

 

[kirk55555]

He needs to keep Jay and Silent Bob out of it.

As someone who has never watched the movie but likes Kevin Smith's work, having Jay and Silent Bob appear would be the thing that would make me watch the show

 

[Saga]

He needs to keep Jay and Silent Bob out of it.

agreed.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

He also wants to bring back as many of the original cast members on the show, but as new characters, as villains.

Now I'm imagining Buckaroo fighting Jeff Goldblum in the mold of the Apartments.com spokesman.

 

[Reverend]

How about we get this from the horse's mouth?

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Buckaroo Banzai is still fairly obscure (for good reason) so the idea that they might remake the movie as the first season makes perfect sense, if they're trying to reach a wider audience.

Not sure what I think of this myself. I'm a fan of Kevin Smith and though I'm aware of them, I haven't gotten around to seeing any of his movies since 'Zack & Miri', so I'm not sure how and to what degree his filming has evolved.
As for Buckaroo Banzai...I tried watching the movie twice and both times I just couldn't get into it. Still, I'm willing to give the series a fair shot if it comes about.

 

[bigdaddy]

I'm a fan of the movie, huge fan. But they have tried to make a sequel and a TV show sequel, and I think even a cartoon, my many times and nothing has come from any of it.

I actually rather have a 70 year old and make it a sequel. Like every other movie t itv show there has been it will fail big and I want a sequel and not a reboot dammit.

 

[JD]

I think the environment for this kind of thing has changed a lot the last few years with things like Fargo and 12 Monkeys, so I can see why it might have a better chance now.
The advantage to something like this is it's got a simple enough basic concept that it could go on for many seasons. All they really need is Buckaroo and the Hong Kong Cavaliers to have all sorts of crazy adventures.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

I think the environment for this kind of thing has changed a lot the last few years with things like Fargo and 12 Monkeys, so I can see why it might have a better chance now.

The advantage to something like this is it's got a simple enough basic concept that it could go on for many seasons. All they really need is Buckaroo and the Hong Kong Cavaliers to have all sorts of crazy adventures.

Agreed. We don't need a straight adaption of the film, rather an adaptation of the feel of the film and the basic elements of the story's universe. Besides, aside from the mesh-mash of Buckaroo (which isn't much in itself), no one in the film really has a solid character. Rather, they fill in the aura of the film and some stand out better than others depending on the actor. Jeff Goldblum, Clancy Brown and Lewis Smith stand out more than the rest of the Cavaliers. Likewise, the villains only stand out because they're portrayed by John Lithgow, Christopher Lloyd and Vincent Shiavelli.

 

[The Mighty Monkey of Mim]

I've never gotten the appeal of the movie, which I find to be inane, and while I used to like some of Kevin Smith's films when I was younger they now largely seem so as well, so not for me thanks. *grumble grumble*

 

[Kor]

And the vast majority of today's audiences, who have no idea what "Buckaroo Banzai" even is, will just react to this show like

Kor

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

He needs to keep Jay and Silent Bob out of it.

agreed.

It doesn't seem to be planned as a part of the View Askewniverse, so unlikely those two would appear. Though, I think the VA stuff is his best work.