News of NBC’s proposed Xena reboot was quickly distanced from iconic series star Lucy Lawless, who thought of the prospect as a rumor, despite husband Rob Tapert’s attachment behind the scenes. The idea for a modern warrior princess doesn’t appear to have gotten very far, but NBC has at least made things more official, hiring LOST alum Javier Grillo-Marxuach to pen the pilot episode.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, Grillo-Marxuach will both write the script and executive produce the new series alongside Sam Raimi and Tapert, creative duo behind the original series (and currently behind Ash vs. Evil Dead, in which Lawless stars). For the moment, the new, modern Xena is envisioned with the charisma and charm of Lawless, and the smarts of The Hunger Games’ Katniss, a sophisticated and smart superhero for a new generation.

Here’s what NBC boss Bob Greenblatt said of the premise, and Lawless’ involvement back in August:

I don’t think it’s just a continuation, but we haven’t gotten that far. I think it’s a great character, and we should try to figure out how to revive it somehow. There is a deal with [Sam Raimi] and Rob Tapert to produce, and it’s with NBC International.

We’d love to have Lucy be a part of it — if we felt that her presence didn’t overshadow the direction we take with it. I’m not sure how she could be part of it if she wasn’t playing Xena, and I don’t know if that’s a direction we’ll ever go.

Spun off from Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, the original Xena ran for six seasons from 1995 to 2001, following the redeemed Amazon warrior princess with her trusty sidekick / companion (or more, depending on your fan-fiction) Gabrielle, played by Renee O’Connor.

The series has been eyed for 2016, but does one of LOST’s better writers make the prospect any more palatable? How should a modern hero connect with the ancient adventures of old?

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