It’s not Hollywood, it’s HBO.
The network might have to think about a change in slogan after a recent report that a Deadwood movie could be in the offing.
The news comes on the heels of a less-than-lukewarm reception for this summer’s Entourage movie, but this feels like less like a cash grab and more like a way to end a show that never got the climax it deserved.
A spokesperson for HBO recently told Variety that only “very preliminary discussions” have taken place with regard to a possible film, and we don’t yet know if the network is making this a priority or just kicking the proverbial tires.
For what it’s worth, it seems like at least one Deadwood alum is on board. On Wednesday, Garret Dillahunt (Francis Wolcott) made his appeal to execs via social media. Tweets below.
So uh….I'm hearing credible rumors about a #Deadwood movie. #Everybodypray
— Garret Dillahunt (@garretdillahunt) August 13, 2015
Come on @HBO…you made @entouragemovie. Give the #Deadwood fans some closure. #Youcandoit.
— Garret Dillahunt (@garretdillahunt) August 13, 2015
Those tweets will certainly help to build momentum for the project, but if he really wanted to speak his mind, he could have included a third: “Just hope it’s better than the Entourage movie #EverybodyPray.”
To be fair, we’ve heard these sorts of rumors before. In the past, the network had floated the concept of a shorter fourth season of the series, but creator David Milch nixed the idea. Still, Milch once told Esquire of Deadwood “I still nourish the hope that we’re going to get to do a little more work in that area.”
During its short stint on television, Deadwood was lauded for shirking the cliches of Westerns past with nuanced characters and unpredictable plotting. The series is recognized as among HBO’s best and is rightfully mentioned in the same breath as shows like The Wire, Game of Thrones, and The Sopranos.
While a film would only amount to an extra two episodes or so of the hourlong series, anything is better than nothing. Are we excited at the prospect of Al Swearengen & Co. coming to a theater near you? You’re $*&#!@% right we $*&#!@% are!
