20th Century Fox Television is developing a remake of the 1980s classic TV showThe A-Team, withFurious 7screenwriterChris Morgancoming aboard to produce the new series, according to a report fromDeadline. The news comes five years after 20th Century Fox released their big-screen adaptation ofThe A-Team, which starredLiam Neeson,Bradley Cooper,Sharlto Copleyand Quinton Jackson. This rebootedTV serieswill have a contemporary setting, with a twist on the team itself.
The original series centered on four highly-trained special forces soldiers, John “Hannibal” Smith (George Peppard), Templeton “Faceman” Peck (Dirk Benedict), H.M. “Howling Mad” Murdock (Dwight Schultz) and B.A. (Bad Attitude) Baracus (Mr. T), who escaped from a military prison after being detained for a crime they didn’t commit. They fled to Los Angeles and began working as “soldiers of fortune,” using their immense skills to help people in need, while trying to clear their name. The series launched after theSuper Bowlin January 1983 on NBC, with its five-season run ending in 1987 after 98 episodes.
The new series will retain the same premise, although this newA-Teamwill feature a team comprised of both male and female members. Like the original show, this new team will be framed, as they attempt to uncover a conspiracy, while helping those in need by putting their skills to use. In the original show, the team all served in the Vietnam War together, but it isn’t known what military angle will be used in the remake. George Peppard passed away in 1994, but the other original cast members are still alive, so it’s possible that they may be brought back for eithercameoappearances or supporting roles.
Sleepy HollowwriterAlbert Kimhas come aboard to write thepilot script, withChris Morganserving as an executive producer alongside Tawnia McKiernan, the daughter of original A-Team creatorStephen J. Cannell. 20th Century Fox has the rights to all ofStephen J. Cannell’s shows, with 20th Century Fox TV previously developing aTV remakeof another one of his shows,Wiseguy. The project doesn’t have a director attached for the pilot yet, but Tawnia McKiernan is an accomplished TV director, with episodes ofGrimm,Blue BloodsandCriminal Mindsunder her belt.
Chris Morgancreated the 2014 Fox series Gang Related and The Troop. He is best known for his work as a feature writer and producer, writing the scripts forWantedand the last fiveFast & Furiousmovies, including this year’s blockbusterFurious 7. Before serving as a writer and executive producer onSleepy Hollow,Albert Kimworked onLeverageandNikita.
