‘Munsters’ Reboot ... in Development at Universal Studio Group

[Mysterious Benefactor]

‘Munsters’ Reboot ... in Development at Universal Studio Group

[Uncle Roger]

If at first you don't succeed......

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Apparently. They tried back in 2012 - and even Seth Myers tried in 2018. It must be a thing to try every 6 years to get a new TV series off the ground.

The only recent project that actually got made was Rob Zombie's 2022 feature film. It wasn't perfect, but it was certainly enjoyable...

[McTrooper]

I thought the 80’s / 90’s sequel series (sudo reboot) The Munsters Today was pretty good, but I can’t really imagine a modern version turning out.  Better to call it something else like Life With Frank and do something sort of new.  I think now it’s better to be inspired by something.  If they need the to keep the rights they could come out with special collections and McDonalds toys. 

[Gerard]

To me, there are certain things that cannot be redone.  Only the original completely works because of a combination of reasons:  the time in which it was made; the unique production team; the cast, and many other effects.  Without that unrepeatable combination, it's not going to happen.  Just image a remake/reboot/whatever-one-wants-to-call it of Gilligan's Island.  Yes, they did have those three made-for-TV sequel movies with most of the original cast and production team, but they just weren't up to par and each film was worse than the one before.  Gilligan's Island still causes laughs because of how well it worked at that time and with unique instances during its filming, such as Jim Backus improvising and his film-mates learning how to go along with it and properly and comically respond off-the-script.  That can't be recaptured or repeated.  The same, to me, with The Munsters.  Herman can only be played by Fred Gwynn and only with Yvonne DeCarlo as Lily and Al Lewis as Grandpa (and even Beverly Owens/Pat Priest and Butch Patrick in their characters).  It was a combination of their chemistry along with plots, scripts and direction. 

Just honor and enjoy The Munsters for what it originally was and can never be again.  One cannot redo the Mona Lisa; any attempt will always be a weak facsimile.

Gerard

[McTrooper]

Well said.  It’s kind of funny that media companies don’t seem to understand that. 

On a related thought  . . .

I understand they think name recognition is nice and will lead to money, but it also invites immediate comparisons to the original and no one in a reboot project can forge a totally new script / performance in the shadow of a beloved original. 

I’m sure even the DS 1991 suffered too (even though I enjoyed it).

[Uncle Roger]

I don't think that is necessarily the case. Between the original series and its immediate followup Munster Go Home, the part of Marilyn was played by three different actresses. Bewitched replaced several key characters (Darren, Gladys Kravitz and Louise Tate) and the show ran for almost a decade. Most soaps end up recasting characters after a certain point. And I've long since forgotten how many actors have played Batman and Superman. Sure, we all have our favorites but I always like to see what a different actor will bring to the part.
Sometimes these reboots turn out very well. Sometimes they don't. Mission Impossible and Sabrina The Teenage Witch turned out very well. But stuff like Sargeant Bilko and McHales Navy were misconceived from the start.
Am I curious about the future of The Munsters project? I suppose. But at this point we don't know if it will actually make it to the air.