The hopes of a Xena: Warrior Princess reboot have ended with the departure of writer Javier Grillo-Marxuach, as NBC has announced the cancellation of the proposed series.
Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke stated that the proposed revival has been put on the shelf:
“Nothing is happening on that right now. We looked at some material; we decided at that point that it didn’t warrant the reboot…I’d never say never on that one because it’s such a beloved title, but the current incarnation of it is dead.”
Earlier this year, Grillo-Marxuach left the project, citing creative differences, with his vision of the show set to explore the romantic relationship between Xena and her sidekick, Gabrielle (portrayed in the original series by Lucy Lawless and Renee O’Connor, respectively.) Grillo-Marxuach stated in March 2016 that there is “no reason to bring back Xena” if it is not there for the purpose of “fully exploring a relationship that could only be shown subtextually in first-run syndication in the 1990s.”
On the NBC side of things, Salke confirmed that the network is open to a reboot, stating that she needs someone to “come in with a point of view about what they want to do.”
The original series started in September 1995 as a spinoff from Hercules: the Legendary Journeys, after realizing how popular the character was.
