Smokey and the Bandit and Flashdance are both getting new TV series reboots

David Gordon Green (Pineapple Express, Eastbound & Down) and Brian Sides (Alaska: The Last Frontier) are writing a new TV show based on the 1977 film Smokey and the Bandit, for Universal Content Productions.

The original film starred Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jackie Gleason, Jerry Reed, Pat McCormick, Paul Williams and Mike Henry. It was also the second-biggest domestic grossing film of 1977 in the US, second only to Star Wars.

According to THR, Danny McBride, Jody Hill and Brandon James of Rough House Pictures will also exec produce the potential series alongside Seth MacFarlane and Erica Huggins and their Fuzzy Door banner. Green will also direct the pilot.

The new take is inspired by the genre of ’70s and ’80s drive-in double features, with the potential series exploring the crossroads where humble realities meet those larger-than-life, all in a blast of tailpipe exhaust.

“Growing up in the South, Smokey and the Bandit was an iconic franchise for me. The legacy of these characters is a playground of swagger and sass that I’m excited to dig into,” said Green.

Huggins added, “When UCP mentioned Smokey and the Bandit we were immediately drawn to it. We knew we had to remain faithful to its original setting in the South, and find an authentic voice. David’s immediate interest and his unique perspective and love for the original made it possible. Smokey and the Bandit was a very cool and irreverent film at the time and we hope to achieve that same feeling in the show.”

As for Flashdance, original producer Lynda Obst is coming back to oversee the TV version of the 1983 film that starred Jennifer Beals.

In the original film, Jennifer Beals played a welder who wanted to become a professional ballet dancer. According to THR, the new show will follow a young Black woman with ballet dreams and a strip club reality who struggles to find her place in the world while navigating romance, money, art, friendship and how to love herself.

Paramount+, currently known as CBS All Access, is behind the new TV series. Tracy McMillan (Amazon’s Good Girls Revolt) will write the script.

Angela Robinson will exec produce and direct the pilot for the potential series. Original Flashdance associate producer Lynda Obst is attached and will also exec produce.