Xena has been television’s favourite warrior princess and an irreplaceable character in popular culture for over two decades now! So, will latest trends convince NBC to work on a Xena reboot and save 2020 for all its fans?
Even the biggest fans of ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ don’t know that the show is a spin-off of a bigger one. Xena’s character originally appeared in ‘Hercules: The Legendary Journeys’, another 90s television show surrounding the Greek hero.
Will ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ finally get a reboot?
Highlights —
- Is NBC rebooting Xena this 2020?
- After almost two decades, would a Xena reboot be relevant?
- What’s so special about ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’?
Xena was written to die in her third appearance, but her soaring popularity led to the producers launching a show on her own adventures. The series aired in 1995 and was successful until 2001, spanning six seasons. It received praise for its strong female protagonist and gained attention for its LGBTQ+ undertones.
There are a lot of historical inaccuracies, but the show made creative decisions to combine history and fiction. Xena was a fire-breathing, fierce and extremely confident woman, and even though the series wasn’t the first to feature a female lead, it was ground-breaking for its treatment of it.
Its popularity through the years has often sparked conversation for a Xena reboot, but the producers’ plans have remained unclear. Keep reading as we demystify what really went down and whether a Xena reboot is on the way!
Is NBC rebooting Xena this 2020?
A reboot for ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ had been announced over five years ago, but it never went into production. In 2015, sources reported that NBC was developing a Xena reboot, with original executive producers Robert Tapert and Sam Raimi on board. Fans were hoping to see Lucy Lawless (Xena) confirm her involvement, but she tweeted, saying that the news was a rumour.
According to online sources, the then NBC Entertainment chairman, Bob Greenblatt, confirmed the reboot was in the works in August 2015. ‘Lost’ writer Javier Grillo-Marxuach, who was initially hired as a screenwriter for the reboot, exited the project in 2017 citing creative differences. There were rumours stating that he wanted to write a reboot that fully explored Xena’s sexual orientation, which fans thought was negligent as it would erase her bisexuality. A few months following his exit, the team scrapped the reboot.
Fortunately, Jennifer Salke, the NBC Entertainment President in 2017 didn’t rule out the possibility of revisiting the series in the future!
“I’d never say never on that one because it’s such a beloved title but the current incarnation of it is dead”,
Salke told “The Hollywood Reporter”.
There haven’t been any updates about the Xena reboot since, but just over a year ago, Grillo-Marxuach let the pilot script of the reboot surface online. Fans immediately began comparing the two and decided the original was far better, but without a reboot, they’ll never know!
After almost two decades, would a Xena reboot be relevant?
The show followed the narrative of Xena on a quest to seek redemption for the sins of her past. She uses her unmeasurable talent, her fighting skills, to help the innocent who can’t defend themselves. She is accompanied by Gabrielle (Renee O’Connor), whose character develops from a farm-girl to a warrior and Xena’s comrade.
The series already has a loyal community of fans who have been championing its return since its last episode. ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ was successful with every season, and the producers can vouch for its continued success.
It’s a cult classic that can never be forgotten. Xena’s overwhelming resilience and her pursuit to recognise the greater good and fight for it is very much relevant even today. At a time when superheroes are at the centre of pop-culture, a warrior princess is the need of the hour!
What’s so special about ‘Xena: Warrior Princess’?
If you watch the series almost 20 years later, you’ll notice that the special effects are outdated, and some scenes are bizarre. The mish-mash of history and fiction didn’t always work in its favour but Xena’s character shined through, regardless of what happened.
She certainly wasn’t the first female to lead an action-adventure series, but she was one of the first to inspire young girls across the globe. Lucy Lawless’ powerful portrayal of Xena, a warrior who can put up a fight against any beast and looks incredibly attractive while doing it, was a role model for girls!
The action sequences, their portrayal of race, gender and the way it depicted the sexual orientation of Xena’s character was progressive for the 90s. A reboot would ensure a newer, modern interpretation of Xena and Gabrielle, their relationship, and would add more depth to the already unforgettable series!
Would you want to see a Xena reboot that has a present-day interpretation and new angles to it? Let us know in the comments!
