A reflection of the United States in the Roaring 1920s, F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1925 novel The Great Gatsby has become accessible to the public domain, and it seems that a new adaptation is already in the works.
Vikings showrunner Michael Hirst is to team up with A+E Studios and ITV Studios America to adapt The Great Gatsby for television. This won't be the first time that this novel has been converted into a live-action production, but Hirst, writing the script alongside Michael London under the watchful eyes of not T.J. Eckleburg, but of Blake Hazard, great-granddaughter of Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald.
"I have long dreamt of a more diverse, inclusive vision of Gatsby that better reflects the America we live in, one that might allow us all to see ourselves in Scott's wildly romantic text," Hazard said. "Michael brings a deep reverence for Scott's work to the project, but also a fearlessness about bringing such an iconic story to life in an accessible and fresh way. I'm delighted to be a part of the project."
He then added that "the perfect moment to look with new eyes at this timeless story, to explore its famous and iconic characters through the modern lens of gender, race, and sexual orientation." The miniseries will shift its perspective to New York's black community and the subculture of music from that era.
A network has not signed on to host the television series just yet, though the production team will search for either a cable or streaming opportunity. A+E has held onto the rights to The Great Gatsby for decades with their series in development for the past three years. Now, as the copyright expires, it seems like the time is right to strike for a new take on a timeless piece of literature.