AMC announced today that acclaimed film actors Jim Caviezel (“The Passion of the Christ,” “The Thin Red Line”) and Ian McKellen (“X-Men,” “Lord of the Rings,” “The Da Vinci Code”) have signed on for the network’s reinterpretation of the highly influential 1960s cult classic, “The Prisoner.”
AMC is co-producing the six-part mini-series with ITV Productions and Granada International, with a worldwide premiere slated for 2009. The Prisoner, AMC’s second original mini-series, combines a wide range of genres, including espionage, thriller and scifi, into a unique and compelling drama, and expands upon the network’s distinctive cinematic approach to creating high-quality programming.
Caviezel will play the title role of “Number Six,” a part that was originally made famous when played by Patrick McGoohan. McGoohan also served as the creator, producer, writer and director of the 1960s series, which has become widely regarded as one of the most famous and intriguing cult TV series ever created, permanently altering the scope of the fantasy genre. Two-time Oscar nominee Ian McKellen will co-star playing the role of “Number Two.”
Being old enough to have watched the original show, loving it, I hope they do serious writing with a modern perspective. A campy remake like the Avengers will be very disapointing.
The dearth of new ideas in Hollywood is really starting to ping me off. How many classic novels, original screenplays, comics or graphic novels are crying out to be made for the first time?
These remakes of classic TV shows is… annoying. Especially since they can’t get it right most of the time. Maybe they can do the The Prisoner justice, good cast, but…