The Dukes of Hazzard maybe getting a reboot of sorts with Eastbound and Down creator Jody Hill, reportedly in the process of writing an untitled action project set in the American South for Warner Bros. It’s said to be inspired by the films of Sam Peckinpah, with the story taking place in the 1970’s and involving an outlaw duo, sound familiar?
At this stage a decision won’t be made to call the film a Hazzard reboot – until Hill finishes the script, however Billy Gerber who produced the dismal 2005 reboot, is attached to produce and his involvement could make the process easier.
There’s plenty to look forward to if writer-director Jody Hill is attempting a grittier take on the classic 1979-85 CBS series that starred Tom Wopat and John Schneider. The director was born in the 70’s and is from the South; more importantly was at the impressionable age when the original series was being broadcast. With his wry sense of humour, he’s sure to bring his ‘Eastbound’ sensibilities to this beloved show, and create more interesting characters than the hillbilly offerings served up by Seann William Scott and Johnny Knoxville.
Fans of the TV show might have a hard time accepting another new spin; that said the recent films have veered into the abysmal and confirm that a retelling of the story need not emulate, but redefine.
A humorous but hard hitting origin story that traces the beginning of the adventure-loving cousins from Georgia, could just be what the franchise needs. We can only hope that the Dodge Charger nicknamed the ‘General Lee’, a car that became one of the most recognised American automobiles of it’s day and an icon of TV pop culture, takes centre stage once more.
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