ALawrence of ArabiaTV show may be on the way, and famous director Roland Emmerich is shopping the idea. Inspired by the epic 1962 movie, which starredeight-time Oscar nominee Peter O’Toole, the show wouldfocus on the real-world historical figure, T. E. Lawrence.Emmerich has extensive experience in Hollywood, having worked onThose About to Die,Independence Day(1996), andThe Day After Tomorrow(2004).
According to a report byThe Hollywood Reporter, Emmerich hopes to create a brand-new show about the setting, though he intends to implement a small tweak to the title.Emmerich plans to developLawrence in Arabia, which will feature the change because “it has a little bit more characters” compared to the original movie. The director will work alongside writer Anthony McCarten (Bohemian Rhapsody) to develop the show.
What The Lawrence In Arabia Script Means
The Show Should ExpandLawrence Of Arabia’s Universe
Emmerich still intends to focus on expanding fromThose About to Die’s endinginto season 2. The show was a major foray into historical TV for Emmerich, who is known for his science fiction and disaster movies.McCarten has more experience with biopics, includingBohemian Rhapsodyand the Winston Churchill-focusedDarkest Hour(2017). With those shared experiences, they hope to combine their efforts to recreate the historic World War I epic for the small screen.
A longer run-time would allow more space to explore Lawrence’s Arabia than the original 3-hour and 47-minute movie.
The show will serve as an expansion of the movie, featuring a larger cast and a more expansive story.McCarten and Emmerich wanted the show to extend over three seasons. A longer run-time would allow more space to explore Lawrence’s Arabia than the original three-hour and 47-minute movie could afford. The current plan is for McCarten to write the first season, but there is no word on who would develop the following two seasons.
Our Take On Lawrence In Arabia Development
Some Adaptations Are Unnecessary.
While theLawrence in Arabiaidea certainly has merit, not all pieces of media necessarily need to be adapted or re-adapted. TheDunemovies certainly managed to produce a more compelling depiction than the 1984 version, but not every classic film needs to see a reimagining, asThe Crow(2024) proved.The originalLawrencestill holds up todayand remains a beloved hit. Other books, historical events, and concepts could earn a place on a premium network without potentially hurting the franchise’s legacy the way that this show could.
Alec Guinness' 10 Best Movies, Ranked
The acclaimed career of Alec Guinness included memorable roles in comedies, dramas, and science movies including David Lean epics and even Star Wars.
There is some potential for the project. A perfectly executed show could provide an interesting exploration of the world and add more depth to the characters around Lawrence. The setting is compelling enough to make an interesting concept and lead to absolutely brilliant shots. The cinematography in the 1962 movie helped to set it apart, so this show would need to match that brilliance and potentially even surpass it. If it can achieve that mark,Lawrence in Arabiawill be an abject success.
Lawrence of Arabia
Cast
The 1962 epic Lawrence of Arabia is a historical movie based on the life of a real-life British officer who played a key role in the Arab Revolt against the Ottoman Empire during World War I. Starring Peter O’Toole, Alec Guinness, and Anthony Quinn, the Oscar-winning film displays the man’s disillusionment with war and its politics.
