Very Young Frankenstein prequel series is alive at FX

At a glance:

• FX has officially picked up the prequel series 'Very Young Frankenstein' based on the 1974 Mel Brooks comedy
• The series comes from the team behind 'What We Do in the Shadows' including Stefani Robinson, Taika Waititi, and Garret Basch
• The cast features Zach Galifianakis, Dolly Wells, Spencer House, Nikki Crawford, Kumail Nanjiani, and Cary Elwes

FX greenlights Very Young Frankenstein prequel

FX has officially greenlit the prequel series 'Very Young Frankenstein,' marking another successful adaptation of a cult classic for the network. The announcement comes from Deadline, confirming that the series has been picked up by FX and will also stream on Hulu. This new project joins the network's growing lineup of comedy hits, continuing a trend of successfully transforming beloved films into television series.

The series is being developed by the creative team behind the hit FX comedy 'What We Do in the Shadows.' Stefani Robinson, who served as showrunner and executive producer on 'Shadows,' is writing the pilot for 'Very Young Frankenstein.' Taika Waititi, who directed several episodes of 'Shadows' and has become a prominent filmmaker, is directing the pilot as well. Garret Basch, another 'Shadows' veteran, is also onboard as an executive producer.

Mel Brooks returns as executive producer

One of the most exciting aspects of this announcement is the involvement of legendary filmmaker Mel Brooks as an executive producer. Brooks directed and co-wrote the original 1974 film 'Young Frankenstein,' which has become a cult classic over the decades. His return to this material in any capacity is significant, though it remains unclear how directly involved he will be in the day-to-day production of the series.

"Very Young Frankenstein blends inspiration from the fan-favorite movie with the inventive, irreverent spirit that has defined FX comedies over the years, making this a completely original take on the classic story," said FX Entertainment president Nick Grad in a statement to Deadline. "In the hands of FX veterans Stefani, Taika, and Garrett, alongside the iconic Mel Brooks, we know that fans will have as much fun watching this series as we're having making it."

Star-studded cast assembled

The series has assembled an impressive cast of comedic talent. According to Deadline, the cast includes:

• Zach Galifianakis
• Dolly Wells
• Spencer House
• Nikki Crawford
• Kumail Nanjiani
• Cary Elwes

While the specific roles these actors will play haven't been revealed yet, the combination of established comedic actors and character actors suggests the series will maintain the tone of the original film while adding new dimensions to the story. The involvement of actors like Nanjiani and Galifianakis, known for their distinctive comedic styles, indicates that the series will likely take creative liberties with the material rather than being a strict adaptation.

Creative direction and style

There's currently no confirmation about whether 'Very Young Frankenstein' will adopt the black-and-white aesthetic of the original film, which itself was an homage to the classic monster movies of the 1930s. However, given the success of 'What We Do in the Shadows' in translating a cult film to television while making significant changes to maximize comedic potential, it's likely that this series will also take creative liberties with the source material.

The original 'Young Frankenstein' was itself a loving parody of the classic Universal monster films, starring Gene Wilder as the grandson of the infamous Dr. Victor Frankenstein. The film is known for its Brooksian humor, visual gags, and memorable musical numbers. Translating this to television presents both opportunities and challenges, particularly in maintaining the film's unique tone while expanding the universe for a serialized format.

FX's track record with comedy adaptations

FX has developed a strong reputation for successfully adapting cult films into television series. The network's most notable success is 'What We Do in the Shadows,' which transformed the 2014 film of the same name into a long-running critical and audience favorite. The series has been praised for its faithful adaptation of the film's premise while expanding the world and developing its own unique comedic voice.

This success suggests that FX has found a formula for translating cult properties to television while respecting their origins while allowing room for creative growth. The network has also had success with other comedy adaptations, including 'Archer,' which began as a parody of spy films but developed its own identity over its long run. This track record makes the 'Very Young Frankenstein' announcement particularly exciting for fans of both the original film and FX's comedy output.

What to expect from the series

While details are still scarce, the involvement of the 'What We Do in the Shadows' team suggests that 'Very Young Frankenstein' will balance reverence for the original material with the irreverent humor that has become a hallmark of FX comedies. The series will likely explore the origins of the Frankenstein story in a comedic context, potentially introducing new characters and scenarios while maintaining the spirit of Brooks' original vision.

The series will join FX's growing slate of comedy programming, which includes established hits like 'What We Do in the Shadows,' 'Atlanta,' and 'Reservation Dogs.' With the network's commitment to quality comedy and the creative team's proven track record, 'Very Young Frankenstein' has the potential to become another standout addition to FX's lineup, appealing to both fans of the original film and new viewers discovering the story for the first time.