Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe(1719).
© Modern Library
NBC Orders ROBINSON CRUSOE Series
By: Jarrod Sarafin, News EditorDate: Monday, October 01, 2007
Source: Hollywood Reporter
NBC is planning to bring the literary classic ROBINSON CRUSOE to the small screen sometime next fall or mid 2009, says Hollywood Reporter. The network which is carving a genre niche lately within their lineup has ordered the development of 13 episodes based on the 1719 novel by Daniel Defoe. The series will be produced by a British production called Universal Media Services and Power, the first time a British based company develops an American broadcast show in nearly 50 years. The budget for the first 13 episodes will be 35 million, NBC/Universal paying 10 million of it for domestic rights. The company plans to keep the setting in the 17th century but give it a 21st century feel to it, including the racial issues. Production for the show will be handled in Australia and the leading character will be played by a UK actor or an Aussie.
Plot Concept: Like the novel, it will center on Crusoe and his relationship with his loyal servant, Friday, stranded on a tropical island. But in addition to their adventures overcoming marauding militias, hungry cannibals, wild cats, starvation and apocalyptic lightning storms described in the book, the series will introduce additional characters and elements, including a MacGyver-like knack of the lead character for making handy tools and devices out of common items.
What's this?
"The company plans to keep the setting in the 17th century but giving it a 21st century feel to it"
That's a Hex on it already. No doubt the one new character will be some sassy young lass for the love interest. Don't forget the jive talking Friday. Or the hip kid for youth interest.