Skip to main content

Fantasy Island gets rebooted (again), this time with a female lead

abc fantasy island remake 70s
ABC
Fantasy Island is getting rebooted … again. Sony TV is working on another remake of the the 1970s drama series, and this time, the story is expected to feature a female lead, reports Deadline. ABC has ordered a put pilot, meaning that the network has committed to air the episode or pay a penalty.

Both the original 1970s series and its 1998 revival focus on the mythical Fantasy Island, a destination in the tropics where travelers go to live out their fantasies, courtesy of a company owned by the mysterious Mr. Roarke (played by Ricardo Montalban in the ’70s and later by Malcom McDowell).

In the latest version of the series, however, the head of the company will trade out the male roll for a smart and sexy woman. Much like the original, episodes are expected to focus on two fantasies each and, along the way, there will also be storylines about Ms. Roarke. No word yet as to whether or not the new series will seek to revive the original head of the Island’s right hand man, Tattoo, played so memorably by the late Hervé Villechaize.

The original series had supernatural and mythological elements, with some fantasies including ghosts, demons, mermaids, time-travel, and more. They were at times dangerous, and guests were warned that fantasies couldn’t be stopped until they’d run their course (though Mr. Roarke would intervene in life-threatening scenarios). Often, there was a lesson to be learned in the guest’s experience.

Fantasy Island is written by Sheldon Turner, the screenwriter behind X-Men: First Class and Up in the Air. He’ll also team up with Jennifer Klein, his Vendetta Prods. colleague, as well as Josh Berman to executive produce. Turner and Klein previously worked on the pilot The Advocate for ABC.

The original Fantasy Island was created by Gene Levitt and executive produced by Aaron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg. The series ran on ABC from 1977-1984 until the network decided to revive it in the late ’90s, but that version only ran for a single season. It’ll be interesting to see how it fares this time around with its new gender twist.

Editors' Recommendations

Stephanie Topacio Long
Stephanie Topacio Long is a writer and editor whose writing interests range from business to books. She also contributes to…
10 best stop-motion animated movies of all time, ranked
Coraline crawls through a dark tunnel.

Stop-motion animation is one of the most creative and beloved subgenres -- and it only seems to get better with time. The greatest movies in this category showcase the hard work and artistry of the inventive minds behind these stories, which often take a long time to commit to film. Each frame is a painstakingly crafted work of art, all aimed at creating immersive worlds full of unforgettable narratives and characters.

From obscure modern classics like The Wolf House to genre-defining masterpieces like The Nightmare Before Christmas, the best stop-motion animated movies highlight the full potential of the medium to deliver complex stories alongside gorgeous and distinct visuals. The craftmanship on display in these films is a testament to the power of animation and those who boldly push the genre's boundaries to create enchanting realities.
10. James and the Giant Peach (1996)

Read more
The 50 best anime on Hulu right now
Gintama anime key art featuring Gintoki leading the supporting cast of the series.

Even when it's not the primary destination, Hulu is still easily among the best mainstream platforms to stream some of the best anime available. It's an especially great supplement for audiences already fans of the streamer's live-action originals, boasting impressive diversity in its anime offerings across film, TV, and various genres.

For customers who aren't subscribed, the Disney Bundle is more than worth consideration to back up Hulu's anime library. This package deal gives viewers countless hours of content through Disney+, ESPN+, and the base ad-supported Hulu plan. Fans will have access to all the Star Wars, Marvel Studios, National Geographic, and sports content they could hope for on top of Hulu's anime catalog.

Read more
Nuggets vs Mavericks live stream: Can you watch for free?
Nikola Jokic squares up a free throw on the court.

Luka Dončić and the Dallas Mavericks take on Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets today. Playoff seeding implications aside, it's always a must-watch event whenever two of the greatest international players of all-time do battle.

This one is set to start in about one hour, at 3:30 p.m. ET, and will be televised on ABC in the United States. If you don't have cable or you're looking to finally cut the cable cord, there are a bunch of different ways you can watch a live stream of the game online.
The Best Way to Watch the Nuggets vs Mavericks Live Stream

Read more