Xena

If you’re wondering whatever became of NBC’s proposed Xena reboot after years of development, there’s good reason for the silence. NBC confirms the project has officially hung up the chakram after losing its writer in April.

Among many aspects of the original Xena revered by fans, there was the layered, lifelong relationship between Lucy Lawless’ title character and Renee O’Connor’s Gabrielle that grew to carry distinct romantic undertones. NBC’s proposed reboot has only a script in the works for now, but promises to fully explore the pair’s relationship, without confining anything to subtext.

NBC’s proposed Xena reboot under LOST writer Javier Grillo-Marxuach doesn’t yet have official pilot order, or even a script, but that hasn’t stopped Grillo-Marxuach from answering persistent inquiry for details on the new series. To wit, we now know that NBC might eye Xena as an “event series” rather than a full fall order, while fans hoping for Lucy Lawless or Renee O’Connor to pass the torch shouldn’t hold their breath … yet.

It seemed a particularly NBC move to reboot Xena: Warrior Princess with a modern bent, even with the strong choice of LOST alum Javier Grillo-Marxuach showrunning. Now, Grillo-Marxuach confirms not only that the reboot won’t be set in modern times, but that we can expect classic elements like Gabrielle and the Chakram, as well as a few Game of Thrones-inspired updates.

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.