In a time when so many classic movies are being rebooted, we can now add CMT to the ever-growing list of networks that are green-lighting these adaptations. Paramount TV and cult football film Varsity Blues‘ original writer, W. Peter Iliff, have a TV adaptation of the movie in the works.
CMT, a cable network centered around country music and owned by Viacom, is putting their own spin on the 1999 coming-of-age football film Varsity Blues, the Hollywood Reporter has confirmed. Despite it being one of Hollywood’s more campy sports movies, Varsity Blues grossed $54.3 million on a budget of $16 million.
Deadline reported that CMT has ordered a script from the film’s screenwriter W. Peter Iliff, who also wrote Point Break and Patriot Games. Iliff is the only member from the original Varsity Blues team who is currently involved in this upcoming TV adaptation from CMT and Paramount.
The original movie starred James Van Der Beek of Dawson’s Creek as Jonathan Moxon, a bright and academically gifted back-up quarterback who takes over the team in the tumultuous season. The late Paul Walker also starred as the injured quarterback who was replaced by Van Der Beek’s character.
With almost 500 original series airing on television currently, reboots are a breath of fresh air for networks hoping to diversify their catalogs and shift away from scripted series. This adaptation of Varsity Blues comes at a perfect time, as many major studios are now seeking to monetize their film libraries.
In addition to Varsity Blues, Paramount’s most recent film to be set to TV, on Tuesday Amazon also picked up the Paramount TV-produced Jack Ryan series. Others include Minority Report on Fox and Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events.