A Grease prequel series, entitled Rise of the Pink Ladies, is in the works at Paramount+, according to The Hollywood Reporter. While it was initially set to air on HBO Max with the title Grease: Rydell High, the streamer opted not to take the prequel project on.
The 1978 musical Grease followed a group of high school kids during the 50s as they sang their way through rocky friendships, relationships, and adventures. It starred Olivia Newton-John (Xanadu, Glee) and John Travolta (Hairspray, Pulp Fiction) as its leads, alongside Stockard Channing (Practical Magic, The West Wing), Jeff Conaway (Taxi, Babylon 5), Didi Conn (Shining Time Station), Dinah Manoff (Empty Nest), Barry Pearl (My Favorite Martian, Avenging Angel), and Michael Tucci (Diagnosis Murder). The upcoming prequel series will surround Sandy, played by Newton-John, Rizzo, played by Channing, Marty, played by Manoff, and Frenchy, played by Conn, and how they became known as “The Pink Ladies,” later striking fear among the students of Rydell High School.
Rise of the Pink Ladies is set to be produced by Paramount Television Studios and will be available to stream on Paramount+, which is slated to launch in 2021. The platform will also include a series based on the making of infamous film The Godfather, and a revival of the comedy The Game.