In case you haven’t heard, FX is bringing us a mini-series based on the acclaimed Coen Brothers’ film Fargo. Yes, it’s really happening. In fact, Billy Bob Thornton was confirmed to have a supporting part last month and today, we’re hearing that Martin Freeman has been locked up for the lead role.
The British thesp, who has been showing up everywhere lately (The World’s End, The Hobbit, Sherlock) will play Lester Nygaard, which is a character that is apparently “loosely inspired” by William H. Macy’s Jerry Lundegaard from the original film. In the mini-series, Lester is a man who’s “fed up with his life and wife, but things take a dramatic change when a mysterious stranger (Thornton) comes to town.”
Set for a Spring 2014 premiere, the Coen Brothers are on board as executive producers and scribe Noah Hawley will be writing. Production is expected to begin next month in Canada, which will act as Minnesota (where the original film was set).
I’m not sure how I feel about this one. FX is a solid network, having delivered some great entertainment in the past with shows like The Shield, Nip/Tuck, Rescue Me, Sons of Anarchy etc. They’re certainly not afraid of racy and edgy material, which bodes well for Frago as the original film had quite a bit of violence in it, if I recall correctly.
All that being said, I’m just not sure if we need a Fargo mini-series. Don’t get me wrong, Martin Freeman and Billy Bob Thornton’s involvement have me excited, but I just don’t know why we need this. The film is nearly ten years old and it’s not like its inspired sequels or anything, so why bring it back?
Tell us, are you excited for the Fargo mini-series, or do you feel like it’s just a quick cash-in for FX?