Real Genius, the 1985 comedy starring my first boyfriend Val Kilmer is getting rebooted. But not for the big screen, as a TV series for NBC. I’ll be over here reading Rebecca’s article in defense of reboots…
Deadline says a television showed based on the film is in the works at NBC from Sony TV, Adam Sandler’s Sony-based company Happy Madison, and 3 Arts Entertainment.
The film starred Kilmer and Gabriel Jarret, an actor you might not have seen in anything ever again (thought apparently he was in a West Wing episode so I did) as geniuses attending a CalTech ripoff school. It was directed by Martha Coolidge and written by Neal Israel, Pat Proft, and Peter Torokvei. The main plot revolves around the CIA wanting to repurpose a computer-guided laser the kids are working on for a weapon but otherwise it’s a cheesy, raunchy, ’80s jaunt.
But what about this new TV version? Deadline writes:
Written by Workaholics co-executive producer Craig DiGregorio and David King (Parks And Recreation), Real Genius is a present-day reboot of the cult film, set as a workplace comedy. The show centers on the relationship between a rock star-like genius — the character Kilmer played in the movie — and a sheltered, naive co-worker.
I’m feeling some Big Bang Theory vibes here, what about you? Anyway, at this junction I don’t really have an opinion either way (of course initial reaction is eegads!) but I will be keeping a keen eye on this one. And Val Kilmer. As always.
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