Jason Katims’ critically lauded but ratings challenged television drama series Friday Night Lights is coming to an end with its fifth and final season finale tonight on NBC, but the show may get a chance to live on as a movie…again. The series (which just scored Emmy nominations for Best Drama, Best Actor, and Best Actress) was based on the 2004 film of the same name, which in turn was based on a book. And now it sounds like the characters may return once again in a new feature film with the show’s stars Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton. Hit the jump for the details.
Talk of a new film began with this tweet from Grantland editor-in-chief Bill Simmons:
“Peter Berg told us he wants to do an FNL movie with Chandler/Britton off the final episode.”
Berg directed the 2004 film and jump-started the TV series before turning it over to showrunner Katims. After that tweet, TV Line’s Michael Ausiello did some digging and sources confirmed to him that the statement is in fact true, and Berg is currently working behind the scenes to make it happen.
Although I’ve only seen the first couple of seasons of Friday Night Lights (I’m gonna finish it soon, I swear) I was blown away by the show. The writing, the acting, the tone: all fantastic. It’s that rare hourlong drama that isn’t afraid to slow down for small character moments, and did I mention the heart-tugging?
While a feature film would be a nice touch (especially with Katims, Chandler and Britton onboard), there may be some legal issues to wrangle. As I mentioned before, the property has been a book, a movie, and a TV show, and TV Line points out that there are a lot of production companies and rights involved. When asked for a comment, a rep for Universal told the site that no FNL film is “currently in production.” The key word being “currently.”
It’s certainly early in the game at this point. The television show has an incredibly devoted fanbase, but ratings were always an issue (as is the case with most high-quality serialized TV shows). Katims is also busy running NBC’s Parenthood, and has yet another television series in development. Time will tell, but I’m all for the underrated Chandler and Britton getting a high-profile feature film in which to shine. Adding season three to the top of my Netflix queue now…
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I really really hope this is gonna happen, but we’ve been hearing about a movie continuation of several critically acclaimed, but low rated tv shows for years now. Fingers crossed.
SPOILER WARNING FOR THOSE WHO HAVEN’T SEEN THE SERIES FINALE YET:
The series ends with the Taylors leaving Texas and moving to Pennsylvania. As much as I love this show and cast, won’t making a movie set in Philly sort of take away from the Texas football insanity that made the book, film and show memorable? In this new iteration, none of the Panthers/Lions players would be in the show.
Well you could have Tami accept a job back in Texas. The movie could begin with Eric talking about how he was willing to move to Philly for her, but he’s the one nervous about moving back to the high stakes, high pressure world of Texas football.
I’d love to see a movie, and I’d buy every poster released for it.
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Along with Lost,you cared about the characters,TV can be rewarding,so glad there are people beside myself who enjoyed it
Would non fans care enough to go see a movie continuing a show they didn’t watch? And will they have to waste time telling all the noobs who the characters are?
A movie would just be icing. The cake is that I got to spend five years with characters I really liked.
LOVED this intelligent, entertaining show! Such a shame NBC didn’t promote it. We heard more about The Voice. REALLY? I’ll see this movie!!!!
I’d love to see a “Friday Night Lights” movie with Chandler/Britton that sums up all the greatness from the show!
It’s a shame the emmy nomiations for Chandler and Britton came AFTER the fate of the show was sealed – maybe if they happened earlier the show would’ve gained more viewers.
It’s also a shame that many people (my mother included) didn’t seem all to interested in the show at first because it was a “football show” – of course fans know that wasn’t true. Friday Night Lights was a football show the way Million Dollar Baby was a “boxing movie”.
Would love to see this movie happen but I have a heard time believing Hollywood wouldn’t ruin it. What I mean by that is: look at a lot of the actors on the show – they don’t look like your prototypical Hollywood actors these days they look like REAL HUMAN beings.
Why in the hell would they not keep this show alive! It’s awesome, perfect and has so much fan base!! This show needs to come back for season six!! Fast!! Yes a movie would be great but for the average sports fan this show brought more than an average person would know. Maybe ESPN could pick it up or some other intelligent being would keep this show going!!!! Come on!!