The sci-fi/fantasy genre has hit an all-time high with numerous new movies and shows. Epic sagas like Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, and Game of Thrones have proven that viewers want to see more. Which sci-fi/fantasy series from the 1980s are due for a revival?
There are many 80s classics that have, or are currently, being reworked for the modern age, including a live-action He-Man and the Masters of the Universe movie, a Highlander reboot, a Predator sequel, and more. But that's just scratching the surface:
Knight Rider
David Hasselhoff brought Michael Knight, an undercover detective, to life in the NBC series Knight Rider. The series aired on the network from 1982 to 1986 and was an innovative story at that time. Knight was given a new identity after being shot and nearly killed in the line of duty, thanks to billionaire Wilton Knight, founder of the Foundation for Law and Government (FLAG). He, along with the Knight Industries Two Thousand (aka KITT), a Trans Am equipped with many technologically advanced features, served as FLAG's field agents.
Over the years, several attempts were made to rejuvenate Knight Rider. In 1997 there was a spin-off called Team Knight Rider, and in 2008 a sequel series was created but both only aired for one season. In 2020, rumors began to circulate that director James Wan was creating a Knight Rider film, but nothing new has been announced.
With the rising interest in nostalgia and sci-fi, someone needs to bring Knight Rider back, but keep it true to the original.
Highway to Heaven
NBC's Highway to Heaven aired for five seasons from 1984 to 1989. The series was led by Michael Landon, who portrayed Jonathan Smith, an angel sent to Earth to help those who needed it. He was assisted by a retired police officer, Mark Gordon (Victor French), who travelled with him on his assignments.
In 2021, Lifetime created a film reboot starring Jill Scott and Barry Watson, which earned favorable reviews. The original series began as a considerable success, but ratings began to fall by season 4, resulting in the fifth season being the final one.
Considering the initial success of the original and the need for uplifting content, it might be time to give Highway to Heaven a modernization. It is always good to have a family-friendly feel-good show to lift your spirits.
The Greatest American Hero
The ABC series The Greatest American Hero, which aired for three seasons from 1981 to 1983, was a comedic superhero fantasy. The series introduced Ralph Hinkley (William Katt), a mild-mannered teacher who was bestowed a suit by a group of aliens, which granted him superhuman abilities. With no instruction manual on how to utilize the suit, Ralph's adventures often became hilarious misadventures.
There were several attempts to reboot the series, one time into a gender-bending movie where Ralph was replaced by a a female counterpart, but none of the projects ever came to fruition. Children of the 80s, who are now grandparents, are eager to see nostalgic movies and shows they grew up with transformed into something new. The Greatest American Hero continues to receive rave reviews, so it is time.
Voyagers!
The sci-fi series Voyagers! only aired for one season on NBC, but at the time, it was an excellent lighthearted time-traveling series the whole family could enjoy. Think of Mr. Peabody and Sherman in live-action. The series follows a time traveler, Phineas Bogg (Jon-Erik Hexum), who, with his trusty Omni, a device that alerts him to mistakes in the timeline, finds himself in the year 1982. Here he encounters Jeffrey Jones (Meeno Peluce), a young boy who is very knowledgeable about history, who joins him on his adventures.
With the success of time travel series like Outlander, Dark, Doctor Who, and the like, it seems a good time to reboot this family-friendly adventure series.
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