Kenneth Johnson Responds to ABC’s New V TV Show

Over at his official site, V creator Kenneth Johnson has a new post in his “V: The Second Generation” section dated October 13, 2008, that responds to a recent Variety article about ABC bringing the lizards of V back to primetime for a new TV show based on the original mini-series that aired in the ’80s. The show will have no involvement from Johnson, or the writer/director’s “Second Generation” idea. The statement below, while being on Johnson’s official site, is worded in such a way that it’s clear he didn’t write it. But since it is from his official site, I’m going to assume that this is an official response by Kenneth Johnson to the Variety story. If I’m wrong, I’ll correct myself later.

Via:

Update 10/13/08 — You will hear reports that Warner Bros TV is attempting to “reimagine” V as a television series. This is relatively old news. Last fall their new concept, which Kenny in not involved with, was passed on by all four networks. Though ABC is again considering the possibility of developing a TV pilot project, it is a script development deal only and does not in any way affect Kenny’s ongoing efforts to remake his original classic as a major motion picture.

When projects that bore Kenny’s original creative stamp and control have been taken on by other people, audiences have seen the results: earlier attempts at reviving V, as well as The Incredible Hulk movies and the recently reimagined Bionic Woman all proved to be serious misfires which unfortunately failed with the critics and with the public.

Kenny’s prime desire is to bring big-screen production values to the new V movie while carefully protecting the timeless story, the characters, quality, integrity and substance that make his original V such a favorite of worldwide audiences and a critically acclaimed, international landmark.

More soon.

So there you go. The people at the Kenneth Johnson official site doesn’t believe the show will even get off the ground, being that it’s been passed by the networks multiple times, and even if it did, well, it just wouldn’t be the same now, would it?

Below: Mike Donovan would never approve of this new TV show idea.