The Rest of the Heathers Reboot Will Likely Never See the Light of Day
EntertainmentYou’re likely never going to see the rest of the dreaded Heathers reboot: As reported by Variety, the series has been pulled from the lineup permanently because a show about vengeful teens shooting up a school is not what the world needs right now.
The reboot—based on the 1988 classic film starring Winona Ryder—was slated to premiere on March 7, but was pushed back by Paramount Networks (formerly known as SpikeTV) after the Parkland shooting. The Hollywood Reporter writes that a new premiere date was never set, but the show was supposed to make a summer debut sometime in July. The shooting in Santa Fe, Texas, however, made the Paramount Network decide to never air it at all, leaving the new Heathers without a home. According to THR’s sources, various cast members are “relieved” that this show will no longer be airing.
Production on the show is complete, and a second season has been written. THR reports that the second season is not set in a high school, but in the 1700s and is supposed to revolve around Marie Antoinette, with many cast members returning to play new roles à la American Horror Story.
In an interview with THR, Paramount Network president of development and production (and co-creator of Heathers, the series) Keith Cox said that it was a “difficult decision” to pull the show:
I love the show. This is a high school show, we’re blowing up the school, there are guns in the school, it’s a satire and there are moments of teachers having guns. It’s hitting on so many hot topics. This company can’t be speaking out of both sides of its mouth, saying the youth movement is important for us and we’ve done all these wonderful things to support that and at the same time, we’re putting on a show that we’re not comfortable with. That would be in conflict.
“The combination of a high school show with these very dark moments didn’t feel right,” he said.
Despite its subject matter, they are “very diligently” attempting to shop the new Heathers elsewhere.