Classic Western 'The Magnificent Seven' Returns as MGM+ Series

MGM+, the Amazon-owned streaming service, has announced plans to adapt the legendary 1960 Western film The Magnificent Seven into an eight-episode television series. The project represents a fresh interpretation of one of cinema's most celebrated Western classics.

Production Details and Creative Team

The series will be helmed by Tim Kring, creator of the acclaimed television drama Heroes, who will serve as both showrunner and executive producer. Joining Kring in the production are Donald De Line, known for his work on Billy the Kid and Foster Dade, alongside Lawrence Mirisch and Bruce Kaufman.

Production is scheduled to commence next year, with the project having undergone some creative changes during development. While True Detective creator Nic Pizzolatto was previously attached to the adaptation, he is no longer involved with the series.

Executive Vision and Story Framework

Michael Wright, head of MGM+, expressed confidence in the creative team's approach. "Tim Kring is a master storyteller," Wright stated. "Tim, Donald De Line, Larry Mirisch, and Bruce Kaufman have crafted a series that delivers the energy of a classic Western, honors the legacy of the original film, and reasserts its timeless themes of the power of unity against oppression and flawed heroes finding redemption by helping those who can't help themselves."

Set in the 1880s American frontier, the series follows a group of mercenaries hired to protect a peaceful Quaker village following a massacre perpetrated by a land baron's hired gunmen. The narrative will explore the moral complexities faced by these flawed mercenaries as they work alongside a community whose faith prohibits violence, even in self-defense.

Legacy of the Original Film

The 1960 film starred an ensemble cast including Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Robert Vaughn, Brad Dexter, James Coburn, and Horst Buchholz. The movie, itself a remake of Akira Kurosawa's Seven Samurai, earned widespread critical acclaim and maintains an 89% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Critics have consistently praised the original as "one of the greatest Westerns ever made in cinematic history" and an "entertaining film with engaging action and performances."

Previous Television Adaptations

This marks the second attempt to translate The Magnificent Seven to television. A previous CBS series aired from 1998 to 2000, featuring Michael Biehn, Eric Close, Ron Perlman, and Robert Vaughn, who reprised his role from the original film. Despite developing a devoted following, the series was cancelled after two seasons due to insufficient ratings.

The new MGM+ adaptation aims to avoid the commercial challenges that befell its predecessor while maintaining the Western genre's enduring appeal to contemporary audiences.

Casting announcements for the upcoming series have yet to be revealed, with further details expected as production moves forward in the coming year.