Remakes are king in Hollywood. They have been for the last two decades, to the point where films that didn't even do particularly well at the box office initially are getting dusted off for high profile reboots. One of these films is The 'Burbs.
The 1989 horror-comedy turned a minor profit at the box office, but its reputation has grown in the years since thanks to the inventive direction of Joe Dante and the gonzo performance by Tom Hanks. Regardless, the film is now getting remade as a TV series for Peacock, according to Variety.
The 'Burbs is getting remade as a Peacock series
The 'Burbs TV series will be bringing back several of the creative minds that worked on the film. This includes producer Brian Grazer, whose production company Imagine Entertainment distributed the OG version, and executive producer Dana Olsen, who penned the film's screenplay.
The most exciting names involved with the TV reboot, however, are the newcomers. Keke Palmer will headline the series, presumably fulfilling the same lead role that Hanks did in the original film. Palmer proved herself to be a natural when it came to blending horror and comedy in the Jordan Peele film Nope (2022).
These disparate genres are not easy to straddle, and part of what made The 'Burbs such a unique film is the way it flips back and forth between absurdist comedy and unnerving horror. Palmer as the lead is an inspired choice, and it will actually mark her first lead in a live-action scripted project since Nope.
Seth MacFarlane will produce the new series
Palmer has spent the last few years voice acting and hosting game shows. It'll be nice to see her back in the mix, and navigating genres that we know she can nail. The other notable name involved with the 'Burbs reboot is Seth MacFarlane.
MacFarlane will serve as an executive producer on The 'Burbs TV series. The multitalented comedian has never spoken about the original film, but given his unique mashups of genre, it's safe to assume he's a fan of what Joe Dante and company achieved. We're excited to see what the Peacock version will do with the material.