FX is nearing a pilot order for a project inspired by Mel Brooks‘ iconic comedy film “Young Frankenstein,” Variety has confirmed.
Exact plot details are under wraps, but the project is currently titled “Very Young Frankenstein.” Brooks will serve as an executive producer on the project along with his producing partner Kevin Salter. Stefani Robinson, Taika Waititi, and Garrett Basch — all of whom worked on FX’s “What We Do in the Shadows” — will also executive produce. Robinson is the writer and showrunner on the project, while Waititi will direct. Michael Gruskoff, who produced the film, will also executive produce. 20th Television is the studio.
Reps for 20th TV and FX declined to comment.
“Young Frankenstein” was originally released in 1974 and is frequently named as one of the best comedy films ever made. In the film, Dr. Frederick Frankenstein (or Fronk-en-steen) travels to Transylvania after inheriting the castle previously occupied by his grandfather, the infamous Victor Frankenstein. He soon finds himself picking up where his grandfather left off, attempting to bring a dead body back to life.
Gene Wilder starred as Frederick and co-wrote the screenplay with Brooks. The cast also included Marty Feldman, Cloris Leachman, Teri Garr, Peter Boyle, and Madeline Kahn. Brooks previously adapted the film into a stage musical, similar to what he did with “The Producers.”
Should the pilot go forward, it would be the latest update to one of Brooks’ films to make it to television in the past few years. Previously, Hulu aired the sketch comedy series “History of the World, Part II,” which served as a followup to the 1981 film “History of the World, Part I.”
Deadline first reported the project being in the works.
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