Things aren’t looking so unfortunate for Netflix, who are adding ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events’ to their buzz-worthy lineup of original shows. The show is based on the popular kids’ book series, about a trio of orphans– Klaus, Sunny and Violet– who must go live with their sinister distant relative Count Olaf, who attempts to steal their inheritance. The books are credited to the fictitious Lemony Snicket but are really written by Daniel Handler, who will executive produce the show. In 2004, a live action film version was released, directed by Brad Silberling, with Jim Carrey starring as Count Olaf and a cast that also included Meryl Streep and Jude Law. The hope was for this film to tap into the Harry Potter market, but the movie didn’t do well enough to warrant sequels.
Now Netflix has landed two big names to hopefully make the show a bigger success than the movie. Barry Sonnenfeld will serve as director (apparently for the entire series). Sonnenfeld has quite the resumé having helmed the three ‘Men In Black’ films as well as both ‘Addams Family’ adaptations. His strong visual style is perfectly suited for Lemony Snicket’s darkly surreal world. He has also worked in television, perhaps most noticeably on the pilot episode of the beloved ‘Pushing Daisies’ also a surreal series that borders on fantasy.
Netflix has also chosen a showrunner, Mark Hudis, who will also serve as an executive producer. Hudis was nominated for an Emmy for his work on ‘Nurse Jackie’ and has also served as showrunner on ‘True Blood’. This won’t be his first visit to the world of streaming programming, either as he recently worked on Amazon’s ‘Hand of God’ starring Ron Perlman.
‘A Series Of Unfortunate Events’ was announced as joining the Netflix lineup last November, but this is the first news to surface regarding its development. But with these important figures in place, hopefully the show will move closer to fruition more rapidly.
Are you a fan of the books? Do you think they’ll work as an ongoing TV series? Comment below!
Source: Cinema Blend
