Bryan Singer Ruins Yet Another Franchise?!

Big Changes Are Coming to The Munsters
Source:Bloody-Disgusting
December 5, 2011

While it has been reported that NBC's new take on The Munsters is going to be very different from what we know and love, the extent of the upcoming series' changes has never been revealed. But a recent report has pulled back the coffin lid, giving us an early peek at what's to come in the Bryan Fuller-created show.

Bloody-Disgusting reports the pilot episode, directed by Bryan Singer, "will focus on 10-year-old Eddie Munster who is unaware that he's a werewolf, and that his family is composed of terrifying creatures. The madness begins when a baby bear attacks a scouting trip, only it turns out that this "bear" is actually Eddie transformed into a werewolf. Eddie is unaware of his metamorphosis and it forces the family to move in order to protect the family secret. The coming of age story gets weirder as he fights against his family when he learns of a shocker: they're a family of flesh-eaters! A few other random character notes: Lily Munster has an eating disorder and eats suicide victims. Grandpa Munster is a 600-year-old shapeshifter, and Marilyn Munster was adopted when her mother tried to eat her as a baby."

Well, alrighty then! Clearly Fuller and Singer, who serves as an executive producer, are definitely modernizing the famous family that lives at 1313 Mockingbird Lane. And, as suspected, it's catering towards a generation raised on The X-Files, Supernatural, The Vampire Diaries, True Blood and American Horror Story.

Posted by: Darren B. on December 5, 2011 at 11:17:57

Wow... way to destroy something, Singer...

Exclusive : The 411 on the new Munsters’ series

Author : "Caffeinated" Clint (Monday, December 26th, 2011 at 11:55 am) Tags: Anne Rice, Bryan Fuller, Bryan Singer, Parenthood, The Munsters, TV

The classic ‘sitcom’ “The Munsters” has been transformed into a contemporary weekly dramedy series for NBC. Bryan Fuller (“Pushing Daisies”) cooked up the story, and big-time filmmaker Bryan Singer (“X-Men”, “Superman Returns”) directs the pilot and executive produces.

“The Munsters” is Eddie Munster’s story.

He’s the kind and sympathetic young pre-teen who, as we discover in the pre-credits sequence, has a “condition”. With the help of his caring parents, Herman and Lily, he soon begins to accept his hairy alter-ego.

It’s no surprise, what with Bryan Fuller of “Pushing Daisies” captaining the ship, that the show is equal parts sweet, silly and suspenseful. It’s almost like “Parenthood” as told by Anne Rice, with the issues and topics raised not unlike those of us non-vampires and werewolves. It’s actually quite a remarkable offering, more so because it gets the balance right.

Cast with the right actors (I don’t know, but I kept seeing Jack Davenport as Herman, and Muse Watson as Grandpa), and retaining the same energy and warmth throughout its episodes, and the show could be one of the highlights of 2012. Either way, I think they’ve got a hit on their hands. A real winner.

Those that want to know more, can continue reading…

***** BEWARE OF SPOILERS BELOW ******

**** NO TURNING BACK NOW *****

But to the pilot…

It’s a scout camp, and the scout master has just rounded up the scouts in an effort to find out who has eaten all the boxes of food. While the token fat kid is being eyeballed, a ravaging wolf is about to crash the party…

…. next morning, a young boy wakes up naked in the woods.

After the credits…

Marilyn (the human among the Munster family) is introduced. The adopted stunner of the Munster family is negotiating to buy up a decrepit old mansion in Mockingbird Heights from an estate agent. As the blonde beauty and the all-too-honest agent (she attempts to talk Marilyn out of burning the house; the previous owner was a serial killer was poisoned hobos and it’s rumoured dead bodies may still be in the walls) talk, a construction crew, seemingly there to knock the place down, impatiently look on. But the deal is done and the wrecking ball backs off.

We discover that the Munster’s have had to move to Mockingbird Heights because of what young Eddie did in the teaser. That “baby bear” attacking the scout camp was a sign that the Munster’s needed a new address before anyone realized who was really behind all those scratches and bruises that the scouts received.

Anyway…

Appropriately, the Munsters arrive via crate to their new address. And they spend the first hour getting to know the locals (Grandpa licking his lips as he’s taken from house to house), hunting down a replacement ‘heart’ for the ailing Herman and largely, helping Eddie realize that he’s not a monster.

Here’s a look at the characters :

Herman Munster

Think Dawson Leery’s compassionate, all-supportive dad (from ”Dawson’s Creek”) crossed with Frankenstein’s monster.

Was created by Grandpa; no other man, besides one he puts together, would of course be good enough for his daughter Lily.

Doesn’t much look like Fred Gwynne’s Frankenstein-looking fellow from the original. This Herman is more of a stud – albeit one with scars. He’s a skinny, but rather attractive man in his ’30s – though he’s stitched together from the body parts of other men and has a mechanical steampunk heart – one that is breaking down.

Though Herman doesget a heart replacement – thankfully a few of those ‘dead hobo’s’ turn up under the swimming pool – he’s not doing well (he loves too much and it’s killing him). Believing he has no choice if he wants Herman to live, Grandpa finds a nice man with a “good heart” for Herman (if you get my drift).

A big old softie that adores his family, Herman is his son’s best friend and has a passionate relationship with the Mrs.

Eddie Munster

Think Ricky Schroder in “The Champ” – with sharper teeth.

The first – and he’s seemingly the most central character – of the Munsters we’re introduced to. Much like Michael J.Fox’s character in ”Teen Wolf” he’s about to discover he’s got quite the howl- – only he’s terrified beyond belief at what that means (he’s frightened enough of puberty!). Though the Munsters have moved to Mockingbird Heights because Eddie attacked his fellow boy scouts at a camp, he doesn’t have any recollection of the event and has been told a baby bear attacked his friends. Eventually Herman is forced to tell Eddie what he does, as the request of Grandpa but dad’s determined to remind him – just as his mother will – that he’s not a monster. Young Eddie ultimately decides to be a vegetarian monster when he can help it, and when he can’t… his dad says they’ll figure it out together. Awww.

Grandpa Munster

Think ‘Grandpa’ from “The Lost Boys” mixed with Lestat.

Scary son of a gun. A I said, he, and the rest of the clan, arrive by delivery truck. His crate topples over, a mass of rats spill out and join to form. An old-codger vampire that, for the past ten years, has been feeding on animals so young that Eddie doesn’t think anything’s ‘different’ about his family. This scary old fellow feeds on animals like Lions but, not surprisingly, is starting to hunger human blood. And with Eddie now “in the family way”, he feels okay about that. Grandpa knows he’s going to start eating humans again, suggesting he’s gobbled his way through a few in the past, and has enough love for Marilyn (who he saved from her mother, he says) to recommend she go to college on the other side of America. She’s safer there.

Has quite a few special powers – like the ability to send new neighbour Tim into a deep sleep by simply waving his hand in front of him

Lily Munster

Think the mysterious Selina Kyle meets “Friday Night Lights” momma Julie Taylor.

Perpetually beautiful. Pale. Sweet. Her crate begins as a pool of spiders before transforming into the tall, slender matriarch of the family. Like his father, Eddie’s mum ultimately teaches him the “difference between being a Munster and being a Monster”.

She works at a pet store where she uses her magic to, for instance, trick the dogs into cleaning their own cages.

Loves her family dearly, and doesn’t want Herman to find a new heart because his current one belonged to Eddie’s biological father.

Marilyn Munster

Think hotness. Is Adrianne Palicki busy!?

The human component of the family. Sweet, attractive young girl who – for obvious reasons – is pretty much the face of the family. Seems completely OK with Grandpa eating animals and people, recognizing his vampirism as a curse not something he chose, and is keen to help werewolf Eddie realize he’s not a bad person for having to feed off animals.

**** END SPOILERS ****

So they’re the Munsters.

Secondary characters include Eddie’s new scout-master Steve, who’ll play a pivotal part in the series (though the actor playing him mightn’t be required for any more than a couple of episodes); neighbours Tim and Doti, who seemingly don’t have a very strong relationship; and some of Eddie’s little friends… but not surprisingly, the camera stays on one or all of the Munsters at most times.

There’s a nice little homage to both Fred Gwynne and the original series in the pilot that fans of the late great actor and the original box offering will enjoy.

“Bloody” love this. Looking forward to it!

Just one thing… where’s Spot!!!??

FEBRUARY 2, 2012 08:05 AM PST Exclusive: NBC's Munsters Reboot Gets New Title

Get More: News, Pilots

As if to further drive home the point that its “imaginative reinvention” of The Munsters will bear little resemblance to the classic ’60s version, NBC is giving the reboot a new moniker.

Sources confirm to TVLine exclusively that the title of the pilot — which is being stewarded by Pushing Daisiescreator Bryan Fuller and X-Men auteur Bryan Singer — has been changed from The Munstersto Mockingbird Lane.

The new handle is, of course, a nod to the family’s iconic Victorian abode, which is situated at 1313 Mockingbird Lane.

The project is currently in the casting stage, so there’s still time for Fuller/Singer/NBC to consult our dream picks for Herman, Lily and the rest of the creepy brood.

What do you think of the new title? Smart idea? Bad idea? Sound off in the comments!

non_amos wrote:I saw basically the same thing over at Shock Till You Drop but you beat me to the punch. So now Singer is changing the title too huh? What's next, casting BJ the Bartender in the lead role? Thank you so much Mr. Bryan Singerman!

thecolorsblend wrote:I was about to joke that he could play Herman because he's already stiff and awkward... but then I remembered that the actor who played Herman performed that way in service to the character; that wasn't his default mode of performance as it would be with Blandon BJ. And even Herman would often show signs of life and genuine humor, which is another thing beyond Routh's abilities.

Apologist Puncher wrote:

thecolorsblend wrote:I was about to joke that he could play Herman because he's already stiff and awkward... but then I remembered that the actor who played Herman performed that way in service to the character; that wasn't his default mode of performance as it would be with Blandon BJ. And even Herman would often show signs of life and genuine humor, which is another thing beyond Routh's abilities.

BJ Routh is done in HollyWeird.

thecolorsblend wrote:You know what? As obvious as that was back in 2008, I don't think it really hit me until Dylan Dog tanked it during the theatrical "run". I guess I figured he'd be just another Hollywood bottom feeder who somehow caught a few lucky breaks that somehow overshadowed his lack of talent. But when even some of the Eunuch page Apologists start questioning the guy's "talents", you have to think he's truly done in the business.

To this day, I do sorta wonder dubya tee eff Smith was thinking when he cast him in Zack & Miri. It's not like he contributed much of anything to what was supposed to have been a humorous scene.

The MUNSTERS Reboot From The Creators Of DEAD LIKE ME And X-MEN Will Not Be Called THE MUNSTERS!! Plus A Bit About A Possible STAR TREK TV Series!! Published at: Feb 02, 2012 6:24:34 PM CST

I am – Hercules!!

“Mockingbird Lane” will be the title of Bryan Fuller’s hourlong remake of the 1960s sitcom “The Munsters,” according to TV Line.

The title refers to 1313 Mockingbird Lane, the address at which Herman Munster and his clan reside.

NBC has greenlit the pilot, which is being helmed by “X-Men”/”Valkyrie”/”House” director Bryan Singer.

Fuller, who wrote for “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine” and “Star Trek: Voyager” before he created “Dead Like Me,” “Wonderfalls” and “Pushing Daisies,” scripted the best episodes of “Heroes’” first season, including the killer Noah Bennet episode “Company Man.”

By the way, Fuller tells AICN exclusively that the two Bryans, who have long (but separately) contemplated new “Star Trek” TV series, have discussed the possibility of pooling their resources to take a new corner of Gene Roddenberry’s multiverse to the small screen. Hopefully J.J. Abrams and Les Moonves will give them the keys to Starfleet HQ.

Find all of TVLine’s Munster exclusive here.

webhead2006 wrote:Ya I know its like networks expect ten + mill viewers for every show out there. Which is hard to do even on the top networks. There is just so many different channels and networks out there. One reason I like cw/syfy they don't expect shows to be high smashing numbers. But they at least give shows a shot,. And then if they don't improve they can them. Would be nice to seebig networks try that more. But I understand why they don't.

The Munsters Pilot Mockingbird Lane Delayed

The Munsters pilot Mockingbird Lane delayed by NBCNBC has pushed production on The Munsters pilot Mockingbird Lane, taking it out of contention for the fall 2012 season.

Insiders say that NBC wanted more time to enhance certain elements of the show that they see as a priority, rather than rush the current script into production. Shooting was originally slated to start later this month in Vancouver. It is now slated to begin this summer, and, if the show is picked up, it may debut in midseason next year.

Bryan Fuller will direct the pilot from his own script. We reported back in December that the show will center on Eddie Munster, whose nasty werewolf incident at a summer camp forces the family to relocate to the decrepit mansion on 1313 Mockingbird Lane.

No casting has been announced for Mockingbird Lane as of yet.

Eddie Izzard To Star In And Produce NBC’s ‘Munsters’ Reboot BY NELLIE ANDREEVA | Tuesday March 20, 2012 @ 11:30am PDT Email This Eddie Izzard is in final negotiations to star in and produce NBC’s Munsters reboot Mockingbird Lane. Izzard is the first actor cast in the pilot, written by Bryan Fuller and to be directed by Bryan Singer. Mockingbird Lane is described as a reinvention of the 1960s sitcom about a family of “monsters” that has striking visuals in the vein of Fuller’s ABC dramedy Pushing Daisies. Izzard will play Grandpa, the Munster family patriarch, a powerful, ancient vampire with an irrepressible twinkle in his eye. He can shapeshift into rats, wolves, and other creatures at will, but he’s also dapper and charming in a fedora; he is a Don Juan-type womanizer with penchant for flashy, sexy outfits. Izzard was originally offered the role, played by Al Lewis on the original series, in January when he was tied to a drama project he had in development at FX. Facing casting difficulties, NBC rolled the pilot to June and spent the time developing the show’s visual style and settings. Meanwhile, Izzard, repped by UTA and The Collective, became available and, after fielding an offer for another pilot, he was approached again for Mockingbird Lane. Impressed by the Fuller and Singer’s vision for the Munsters world, he came on board the Universal TV-produced project as a star and a producer.