A New Take on a Classic: Zach Galifianakis Joins the Reboot of Young Frankenstein
Zach Galifianakis is set to take on a new challenge as he stars in a television reboot of the 1974 Mel Brooks comedy Young Frankenstein. The new series, titled Very Young Frankenstein, will be produced for FX and overseen by Brooks himself, who is now 99 years old. This marks another opportunity for Brooks to bring his unique brand of humor to a new generation of viewers.
Galifianakis, best known for his role in the The Hangover films, will play Dr. Frankenstein in the series. He will be joined by a star-studded cast that includes Dolly Wells, Kumail Nanjiani, and Cary Elwes. According to reports from Variety, Elwes will portray the President of the United States in the show, though specific plot details remain under wraps.
This project is not the first time Brooks has worked with younger comedic talent to revive one of his classic works. In 2023, History of the World, Part 2 premiered on Hulu, featuring Ike Barinholtz, Wanda Sykes, and Nick Kroll. The show was a follow-up to Brooks’ 1981 film History of the World, Part 1.
Very Young Frankenstein will see Brooks team up with the creators of the hit vampire sitcom What We Do in the Shadows. Taika Waititi, an Oscar-winning filmmaker, is expected to direct the pilot episode. The show will be written by Stefani Robinson, who serves as the showrunner, and produced by Garrett Basch.
A Legacy of Comedy and Reboots
Young Frankenstein, originally starring Gene Wilder as the titular scientist, is widely regarded as one of the funniest films ever made. It was a loving spoof of Mary Shelley’s novel and the horror genre as a whole. The film paid homage to the Universal adaptations from the 1930s, which featured Boris Karloff as the iconic monster.
As the film celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, The Independent’s Geoffrey Macnab reflected on its lasting impact. He noted that Frankenstein has been reimagined countless times over the past century, often diverging significantly from Shelley’s original vision. These adaptations have ranged from romances and cartoons to comedies and traditional horror stories. Even icons like Andy Warhol and Abbott and Costello have taken their own spins on the tale.
Macnab also highlighted that Young Frankenstein remains a standout in the genre. “The miracle, though, is that Young Frankenstein itself still feels so fresh,” he wrote. The film’s return to screens this autumn for its 50th anniversary marked a moment for audiences to rediscover one of the best Frankenstein features.
A New Chapter for Mel Brooks
Mel Brooks, one of the few entertainers to achieve EGOT status (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony), has yet to publicly comment on Very Young Frankenstein. However, in a recent video clip promoting Spaceballs 2, the sequel to his 1987 Star Wars parody, Brooks joked about fan expectations. “After 40 years we asked what do the fans want... but instead, we’re making this movie,” he said.
With Very Young Frankenstein in production, Brooks continues to explore ways to bring his classic works into the modern era while collaborating with fresh creative voices. As the project moves forward, fans are eager to see how the new series will reinterpret the beloved story for a new audience.
Looking Ahead
The upcoming series promises to blend Brooks’ signature humor with the talents of today’s top comedians and writers. With a mix of nostalgia and innovation, Very Young Frankenstein could become a new classic in its own right. As the production progresses, it will be interesting to see how the show balances respect for the original film with its own unique vision.
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