Los Angeles-based Slingshot Global Media reportedly is developing a reboot of the “Route 66” television drama, according to Deadline and other media outlets, including Entertainment Weekly.
The remake will build on the original concept, chronicling the journey of two young adventurers traveling through the Heartland of America in their cool sports car, encountering people from all walks of life and exploring the social problems and changing mores of the time. The premise lands itself to product placement for a sports car manufacturer — the original series featured the main characters, played by starred Martin Milner and George Maharis, driving the Chevy Corvette and helped establish the car as an American classic.
“The original series was hugely popular not only in the U.S., but also internationally, and we thought this could be a great concept to reformulate for the modern era,” said Slingshot Global Media CEO David Ellender. “The premise is the same, but the United States is a different landscape than it was 50 years ago and we can’t wait to explore the multitude of diverse social issues confronting the nation today.”
According to EW, Kirk Hallam is the series’ executive producer, and that a writer and distributor is being sought for the project. Slingshot is producing the upcoming series “Rain,” which will star Kneau Reeves. Slingshot and Reeves also are working on “New Angeles,” a virtual reality drama series.
The original “Route 66” television drama of two young men looking for adventure in America aired from 1960 to 1964 and co-starred George Maharis and Martin Milner and a Corvette Convertible. The series, as previously noted, was adept at covering social issues at the time and the fact it was shot on location all over the country. The title “Route 66” was more of a metaphor, as shooting met the Mother Road only a handful of times during its run.
One hopes the new “Route 66” can get Maharis, now in his 80s, in a cameo or two. You can read our 2007 interview with Maharis here. Alas, the chance of adding Milner briefly in the show is slim, as he reportedly is in poor health.
Longtime readers of Route 66 News probably remember Hallam when his Roxbury Entertainment company bought the rights to the original “Route 66” television show about seven years ago. That led to some shoddily executed re-releases of the show on DVD and an ill-advised lawsuit against a porn company for loosely parodying the show. Hallam eventually let Shout! Factory re-release “Route 66” in a better-executed DVD box set, and he lost the lawsuit on First Amendment grounds.
Hallam also announced the production of a full-length “Route 66” film that would have taken place on the real Route 66. He had a finished script, but the film never came to be — probably because the Great Recession began about that time.
I wish the “Route 66” reboot all the luck in the world. But with Hallam’s spotty track record with the series, if I were Ellender, I’d keep him on a short leash.
(Publicity image of the original “Route 66”)
Loved that show .,Always presented I was Buz Murdock ,and my friend was Todd Stiles ,as we visited his hometown Wilkesbarie Penn in 1965,66,67
Great show the two were meant for the series but all good things must come too an end. Great job guys great job you will be missed