1973 Film 'Westworld' Gets HBO Series Pilot With Impressive Line of Cast
HBO Renews ‘The Leftovers,' Nearing Final Episode For Season 1
The news about the 1973 film Westworld, a science fiction, western-thriller to be adapted into a series was getting the rounds August last year; with the project in the hands of director J.J. Abrams, Jonathan Nolan and Jerry Weintraub. It was confirmed to have a pilot production from HBO, as it bought the series adaptation from J.J. Abrams' Bad Robot Productions.
The original Westworld was written and directed by American best-selling author Michael Crichton that starred Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin and James Brolin. The story revolves around a human-like android played by Brynner called the Gunslinger, which is the top attraction of the Delos amusement park's West World that is one of the three themed worlds. Two friends played by Benjamin and Brolin visited the high-tech adult theme park when something goes wrong with the androids in the park.
In recent developments, Hollywood icons joined the cast: Sir Anthony Hopkins is Dr. Robert Ford - the park's chief programmer and creative director, and will be his first regular TV series role and Ed Harris set to play the pivotal role of the villain. Harris' was previously seen on HBO for Game Change as Sen. John McCain and in Empire Falls.
Other cast includes Evan Rachel Wood (Dolores Abernathy), James Marsden (Teddy Flood), Eddie Rouse (Kissy), Jeffrey Wright (Bernard Lowe), Rodrigo Santoro (Harlan Bell), Shannon Woodward (Elsie King),Ingrid Bolso Berdal (Armistice), Angela Sarafyan (Clementine Pennyfeather), Simon Quarterman (Lee Sizemore); with most recent additions Thandie Newton (Maeve Millay) and Miranda Otto (Virginia Pittman) and more others.
The acquisition marks HBO's first venture with Bad Robot and a continued committment of HBO in buying projects from outside studios.
