From The Exorcist to Lethal Weapon: 3 big movies getting TV reboots

The boundaries between TV and film have become so blurred, I’m not even sure if I should be selling myself outrageously-priced popcorn at home, or sitting in the cinema in my pants with a remote control in my hand. I’ve got football games to watch on the big screen and Adam Sandler films coming straight to Netflix. These are confusing times.

While blockbusters like Batman Vs Superman disappoint and shows like Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead surpass anything on the silver screen, it’s best to look ahead at the TV schedules to see what will really be floating your boat over the next few years.

If you ever asked why Hollywood isn’t making films like they used to before, wonder no more. It’s because TV is where the opportunities are really at! Here’s three shows based on films that you really won’t want to miss:

Training Day

“King Kong ain’t got s**t on me!” exclaimed Denzel Washington’s dodgy copper in Antoine Fuqua’s Training Day. Turns out the Russian Mafia did have a little something on Detective Alonzo Harris, but that didn’t stop Washington winning the Best Actor Oscar in 2002. The TV reboot loses Washington and replaces him with Bill Paxton who will play the corrupt cop showing Justin Cornwell’s rookie the ropes. The series comes to CBS later this year, but surely if this is going to last more than a few episodes, it should be renamed Training Days. Maybe Training Week. Hell, maybe even Training Year.

The Exorcist

Still one of the most terrifying films of all time, no matter what some people claim to the contrary, The Exorcist is coming to small screens in the hope of stirring up big scares. Geena Davis has a major role as a mother who believes there is a demon in her home and seeks the help of the clergy to cast the foul spirit out. There’s Father Lang, Father Bennett, Brother Simon and Father Ortega so expect this demon to be rather outnumbered by pious folk splashing around their holy water. Let us pray that the power of Christ compels this to be as spine-chilling as the original film.

Lethal Weapon

And here’s the biggie! After four films featuring Mel Gibson and Danny Glover, the Lethal Weapon franchise is moving to the small screen with Clayne Crawford (who?) and Damon Wayans taking over as Riggs and Murtaugh. It’s been a long time since Wayans’ 90s heyday, but many will have fond memories of him in buddy movies like The Last Boy Scout and Bulletproof so this could be a perfect vehicle for him. Crawford plays the unhinged cop Martin Riggs who is partnered with ‘getting too old for this s**t’ family man Murtaugh. Hilarity, and big action, hopefully ensues!

What do you think of these film to TV reboots? Leave your comments below and feel free to follow me on Twitter for more on the latest TV shows.