Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless are the writers behind the Netflix reboot of CBS’ 1960s space opera “Lost In Space,” which followed a family of scientists who couldn’t figure out how to get back to Earth.
Sazama and Sharpless’ big-screen writing credits include “Dracula Untold” (which garnered positive reviews from 22% of critics polled by the Rotten Tomatoes website), “The Last Witch Hunter” (15%) and “Gods of Egypt” (16%).
This is by no means the first attempt to revive Irwin Allen’s iconic Space Family Robinson franchise.
A slightly underrated 1998 movie version starred Gary Oldman as Dr. Zachary Smith and William Hurt as Dr. John Robinson.
NBC had toyed with a TV sequel, though that idea died with the 2002 loss of the great Jonathan Harris, who was to reprise the role of Dr. Smith.
The perfectly terrible 2003 “The Robinsons: Lost in Space” reboot pilot was directed by John Woo (“The Killer,” “Mission Impossible II”) for The WB, but failed to snag a series order despite having been scripted by Doug Petrie, who did much better work for “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” and now serves as showrunner on Netflix’s “Daredevil.”
Press release:
NEW UPDATED LOST IN SPACE SERIES COMING EXCLUSIVELY TO NETFLIXBeverly Hills, CA - June 29, 2016 - Netflix, the world’s leading Internet TV network, has ordered a 10-episode first season of the one-hour sci-fi drama, from Legendary TV, based on the beloved 1960’s sci-fi classic from Irwin Allen. Reimagined by feature writing team Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless (Dracula Untold, Last Witch Hunter), with Zack Estrin (Prison Break) showrunning, the series will premiere worldwide on Netflix in 2018.
Taking its cues from the original series, the show centers around the Robinson family, who is forced to come together in a time of crisis. Stranded light years from their intended destination, they find themselves battling a strange new alien environment and also their own personal demons. Equal parts family drama and sci-fi adventure, it is a survival story for the ages.
“The original series so deftly captured both drama and comedy, and that made it very appealing to a broad audience. The current creative team’s reimagining of the series for Netflix is sure to appeal to both fans who fondly remember the original and to create a new generation of enthusiasts around the world,” said Cindy Holland, Netflix Vice President of Original Content.
Zack Estrin serves as executive producer alongside writers Matt Sazama & Burk Sharpless; Synthesis Entertainment’s Kevin Burns (The Curse of Oak Island, Ancient Aliens) and Jon Jashni (Godzilla, Pacific Rim); and Applebox’s Emmy®-nominated director Neil Marshall (Game of Thrones, The Descent) and Marc Helwig. Marshall is also set to direct several episodes of the series. Lost in Space is a Legendary TV production for Netflix.
