Is A ‘Xena’ Reboot Happening, Or What? Here’s What We Know So Far

If you were alive and had any taste whatsoever in the mid-’90s, it’s likely you were pretty excited this morning. With headlines flooding in yesterday about Xena: Warrior Princess, not only did it look like one of your childhood faves was making a comeback, but it was also suddenly acceptable to start publicly gushing about it again.

But with ’90s remakes like The X-Files and Twin Peaks consistently taunting us by being decidedly on then suddenly off then maybe on again but who knows because the world is cruel and unusual, it’s best to remain a little guarded. Here’s a tentative round-up of what’s been happening so far:

Lucy Lawless Has Been Pitching The Hell Out Of It For Years

The cult Kiwi actress has been on promo tours for two upcoming projects recently and — because she will first and foremost be the Warrior Princess from now until eternity — there have been recurring questions about Xena. (Of course this has also been a pretty regular occurrence for the past 15 years.)

In 2010, Lawless raised the idea of bringing it back as a movie, but was sceptical about the reality of making it happen. “I love that character,” she said. “I would do it if it was a movie. I doubt I would do it as a TV series. I can’t see how you would make it fresh.” She also thought she may be too old by the time people actually get their act together. “I feel like it’s a completely wasted franchise,” she said.

When speaking to the Wall Street Journal in April, Lawless still couldn’t explain why it hadn’t happened. “For a long time there was ownership issues, but it’s a great franchise and it’s completely underutilised and they should reboot it,” she said. “She’s a good hero because she’s a flawed one, and that’s something we could all be inside … That character is so strongly [identifiable for] African-American women in particular, who see themselves in that character. Also gays and lesbians really took that character to heart. There’s an inner strength message that they turned into an impulse for change in their lives.”

More recently, the topic totally overtook her appearances at Comic-Con 2015. When speaking in panels about her new TV series Ash v Evil Dead, Lawless constantly welcomed discussion about her most popular character. “I am pitching my ass off to make it happen,” she told Hitfix. Whether it’s with me or not — I think it’d be funny to have a reboot … middle-aged Xena in a muu-muu and a bad attitude and a smoking habit … The world is crying out for a hero.”

The Hollywood Reporter Has “Sources” Who Claim It’s Happening

The news yesterday comes exclusively from this piece. After an exclusive tip from undisclosed sources, The Hollywood Reporter have claimed that producers from NBC are currently searching for a writer to get on board for a TV reboot.

“The drama is in the extremely early development stages [but] original executive producers Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi are also involved,” they wrote. “It’s unclear what, if any, role original star Lawless would have, though sources tell THR that insiders would like the original star to have both a role onscreen and behind the scenes.”

Though there are no real specifics, it’s stated the show — in whatever form it takes — would be intended for 2016.

Lawless Has Called Bullshit 

Just a few hours after the nerdier subsections of the internet began to implode, Lawless checked in on Twitter to deflate her fans. Calling it all just “a rumour”, she claimed it was still an idea she’s keen on but there’s been no formal talks or plans.

Sorry, friends! news of a #Xena reboot is just a rumor. I'd love it to happen one day but it's still in the wishful thinking stage.

— Lucy Lawless (@RealLucyLawless) July 20, 2015

Although it’s conceivable that NBC execs could have talked about the idea without Lawless getting involved, there’s a few very important things to keep in mind when thinking about her statement. First off: before leaking anything to the press, you’d definitely keep the franchise’s main star in the loop. Having the entire population of Comic-Con out for your blood is not a position anyone wants to be in.

Also, not only is Lawless working with Rob Tapert — one of the original producers on the show whose supposedly on board with the reboot — on her new show, but she’s also married to him. I feel like this topic would have come up at some point.

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Conclusions

There are none.

Please kill time until some kind of real announcement emerges by binge-watching re-runs and adorable on-set bloopers: