‘Xena: Warrior Princess’ Reboot Reveals Some Things Will Never Change

There’s been a great deal of conjecture and gossip surrounding the Xena: Warrior Princess reboot, including the question of whether or not it would actually come to pass. As facts emerge, it seems a sure thing that there will definitely be a Xena reboot, even if Lucy Lawless won’t be returning as the warrior princess.

Xena: Warrior Princess Reboot Writer On What Will Change And What Will Remain

Javier Grillo-Marxuach comes to the Xena writing table with an impressive list of credits to his name, including his contributions to such hit shows as Lost, Charmed, and Medium, giving him just the right experience to re-craft Xena for modern audiences. Javier says the original Lucy Lawless-driven series spoke of some of the basic constructs of feminism, even before issues of female equality really hit Hollywood. Xena: Warrior Princess proved that Hollywood could create a female action hero and audiences would love her. Even more surprising, the bond between Xena and Gabrielle (Renee O’Connor) became one of the show’s highest points, drawing in viewers week after week to see how their friendship progressed.

All of that is to the original show’s credit and that’s something Javier really doesn’t want to mess with, but he’s also trying to create something that will draw in new and younger fans.

“It’s a delicate balancing act… one of the things I really insisted on in my pitch was telling an epic story that would be bingeable – but still feature several of the legacy characters in a way that makes sense to the totality of the story.”

While there will certainly be changes in line with Javier’s plans to attract younger audiences, there are some aspects of the original Xena: Warrior Princess that will make it into the reboot. Xena will still have her trusty Chakram, and Gabrielle will be armed with her quarterstaff. Another aspect of Gabrielle’s character that will survive is her endeavors to become a bard.

Above all, the relationship between Xena and Gabrielle, their soulmate-like bond, will be of paramount importance.

Xena: Warrior Princess Will Be Like Game Of Thrones, But Without The Misogyny

There have been rumors that the Xena: Warrior Princess reboot will take place in a different, more modern era. Mr. Grillo-Marxuach says their plans for the series involve nothing like that, but, instead will take place in roughly the same time period as the original Xena series. He adds that the personal histories of both Xena and Gabrielle will be changed to fall in line with some of the subplots throughout the series.

Still up for debate is the issue of the outfits for both Xena and Gabrielle. While Xena’s leather miniskirt and Gabrielle’s exposed belly were virtually trademarks of the series, Javier says it’s difficult to stick with that, following the events (and criticisms) of Game of Thrones, particularly the subplots involving Brienne of Tarth.

“I think we are going to have some very lengthy discussions about how to bring those elements into the present day without missing the boat on what makes Xena exactly what she is; and how to have our cake and eat it too.”

It seems Javier, along with the rest of the production team, is trying to remain as faithful as he can to the original Xena: Warrior Princess series, while also updating it today’s viewers. Even the most loyal Xena fans will have to admit that some aspects of the show are either too hokey or too provincial to survive in a 2016 television series, even one that takes place centuries before women’s lib.

Xena: Warrior Princess still doesn’t have a premiere date, but that will change as production goes into full swing.

[Image by NBC]