A eight-time Oscar nominee Peter O'Toole, the show would focus on the real-world historical figure, T. E. Lawrence. Emmerich has extensive experience in Hollywood, having worked on Those About to Die, Independence Day (1996), and The Day After Tomorrow (2004).
According to a report by The 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 develop Lawrence 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 Expand Lawrence Of Arabia's Universe
Emmerich still intends to focus on expanding from Those About to Die's ending into 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, including Bohemian Rhapsody and the Winston Churchill-focused Darkest 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 the Lawrence in Arabia idea certainly has merit, not all pieces of media necessarily need to be adapted or re-adapted. The Dune movies certainly managed to produce a more compelling depiction than the 1984 version, but not every classic film needs to see a reimagining, as The Crow (2024) proved. The original Lawrence still holds up today and remains a beloved hit. Other books, historical events, and concepts could earn a place on a network without potentially hurting the franchise's legacy the way that this show could.
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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 sur it. If it can achieve that mark, Lawrence in Arabia will be an abject success.
Source: THR
Lawrence of Arabia
- Release Date
- December 11, 1962
- Runtime
- 228 minutes
- Director
- David Lean
Cast
-
Omar Sharif
WHERE TO WATCH
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.
- Writers
- Robert Bolt, Michael Wilson
- Studio(s)
- Columbia Pictures
- Distributor(s)
- Columbia Pictures
- Budget
- $15 million
- Main Genre
- Adventure
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