Same Family, New Show – The Addams Family Series Reboot Officially Declared at MGM
Source: IMDb
As Gomez Addams would say, “Cara Mia.” The Addams Family enjoys some of the finest popularity among fictional characters all over the world. That catchy theme song tune “Ta-da-da-dum-[snap]-[snap]” sufficiently draws everyone’s attention to the screen.
And it looks like said screen is about to receive another reboot of this ultra-famous show.
MGM Television is going in big with this title featuring the most spooktacular family of all. Not only is the legendary filmmaker Tim Burton being roped in to direct, but MGM is also negotiating to have him executive-produce the show.
The Addams Family is right up Burton’s alley. The man can do wonders with this project, imparting his signature touch to this all-time favorite classic.
Alfred Gough and Milles Millar, the creators of “Into the Badlands”, are ready to write a killer script. Both of them are slated to serve as showrunners and executive producers too. The duo also created “The Shannara Chronicles” (2016) and worked on “Smallville” (2001).
Their writing better not be brand-spanking new, because some beloved catchphrases simply must be present. We’re looking at you, Gomez Addams.
The Legend, The Lines, The Lunacy
This writer has been shot with a large dose of excitement on Halloween 2020 when he sits down to write about this iconic family. He simply feels the urge to share a few goth-perfect lines (courtesy IMDB) spoken between the heads of the Addams Family….
Gomez: “Look at her. I would die for her. I would kill for her. Either way, what bliss.”
***
Gomez: [Morticia wakes up] “Unhappy, darling?”
Morticia: “Oh, yes. Yes completely.”
[Gomez sits]
***
Morticia: “Gomez… Sun. Il me perce comme un poignard.”
Gomez: “Oh, Tish. That’s French.”
Morticia: “Oui.”
Gomez: “Cara mia.”
[kisses Morticia’s hand]
***
Gomez: “En garde, Monsieur Soleil!”
Morticia: “Gomez…”
Gomez: “Querida?”
Morticia: “Last night, you were unhinged. You were like some desperate howling demon. You frightened me. Do it again.”
***
Morticia: “When we first met years ago, it was an evening much like this. Magic in the air. A boy.”
Gomez: “A girl.”
Morticia: “An open grave. It was my first funeral.”
Gomez: “You were so beautiful. Pale and mysterious. No one even looked at the corpse.”
***
[Theme song lyrics; courtesy Google (duh)]
“They’re creepy and they’re kooky,
Mysterious and spooky,
They’re all together ooky,
The Addams Family.
Their house is a museum
When people come to see ‘em
They really are a scream
The Addams Family.
[snap twice]
(Neat)
[snap twice]
(Sweet)
[snap twice]
(Petite)
So get a witch’s shawl on
A broomstick you can crawl on
We’re gonna pay a call on
The Addams Family.”
A Gothic Love Letter for TV – Tim Burton’s The Man for This Job
The team is on the prowl for the right streaming service or network to grab the show. We’re certain that the hunt will not be long nor for naught. The show, once it airs, will mark one of the few TV titles in Tim Burton’s illustrious cinema career.
He gave some of his best television-centric work when he executive-produced “Beetlejuice”, specifically the 1989 animated series that aired on Fox Kids. In fact, he directed the movie version that came in 1988. “Alfred Hitchcock Presents” is another show that had him in the director’s chair for a handful of episodes.
When it comes to movies, his work on hit titles like “Edward Scissorhands” (1990) | “Mars Attacks” (1996) | “Batman” (1989) | “Batman Returns” (1992) | “Batman Forever” (1995) | “Ed Wood” (1994) | “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” (2005) | “Alice in Wonderland” (2010) | “9” (2009) | “Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events” (2004) | “Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children” (2016) | “Planet of the Apes” (2001) | “Dumbo” (2019) all speak volumes on Burton’s behalf.
What Dark Delights This Way Come
Ever since this particular family came onto the scene as a comic strip written by Charles Addams, they became favorites among young and old alike. Many an adaptation has emulated and implemented this wonderfully ‘dark’ family comprising (according to Variety magazine): “father Gomez, mother Morticia, children Wednesday and Pugsley, Uncle Fester, Grandmama, butler Lurch, and the disembodied hand Thing.” We’d like to make a special mention of ‘Uncle It’.
The first-ever TV series for the Addams was back in 1964-1966, starring John Astin (who played Gomez) and Carolyn Jones (who played Morticia). The 1992 animated series that aired on Cartoon Network was when most of us were invited to come to be part of this kooky family. That animated series further propelled the family’s fame.
Complementing these shows were box office hits. Movies like “Addams Family” (1991) starred the brilliant talents of Raul Julia as Gomez and Anjelica Huston as Morticia. They added to the ‘real life’ versions of this mysterious and beloved goth family. Other cast members included amazing names: Christopher Lloyd as Uncle Fester, Christina Ricci as Wednesday, and Jimmy Workman as Pugsley.
The first movie grossed in excess of $200 million at the global box office. The 1993 sequel “Addams Family Values” was also fun to watch. The movies as well as its cast have gone on to attain cult status thanks to their portrayals of these fan-favorite characters.
And now we are all getting a new show that promises to be just as spectacular. Some of us, this writer included, are part of the generation that grew up with this family on Cartoon Network and are now witnessing their resurgence, or rather a reboot.
We believe we’re all going to feel quite tortured until this show finally starts streaming. But then we remember what Morticia said to her hubby: “Don’t torture yourself, Gomez. That’s my job.”