‘American Gladiators’ Reboot Ordered at Prime Video
Get ready because gladiators are set to hit the arena once again.
Amazon Prime Video has ordered a reboot of the iconic competition series “American Gladiators” and is currently searching for contenders that can pass the test of speed and strength to take on the gladiators in the ring. It will also include new and classics challenges like “Gauntlet,” “Hang Tough” and “The Eliminator.”
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“Doing a cross-country casting search is exciting for us, and for the fans. Our goal is to find a real cross-section of America’s fittest and fiercest competitors,” Barry Poznick, general manager of MGM Alternative at Evolution Media and Big Fish Entertainment. “This is the ultimate in sports entertainment.”
The original series first debuted in 1989 and ran for seven seasons until 1996. It was hosted by Joe Theismann and Mike Adamle and included over 30 gladiators during its original run in the U.S.
The franchise later expanded internationally with shows in the UK, Australia, Japan, Denmark, South Africa and more. “Gladiators” (the U.K. version) premiered on Jan. 13, 2024, and brought in six million viewers with 9.8 million premiere viewers over the first 28 days, making it the biggest launch for a new entertainment series on BBC One since 2017. Following the success of the U.K. version, a second season has been picked up.
“Gladiators is an enduring, physical challenge format that continues to engage families around the world,” said Lauren Anderson, head of Brand and Content Innovation at Amazon MGM Studios. “We look forward to delighting our global Prime Video customers with both reimagined and nostalgic elements that celebrate the best of the original series.”
“American Gladiators” is produced by MGM Alternative and Amazon MGM Studios for Prime Video in association with Flor-Jon Films. The series was created by Johnny C. Ferraro, and is based upon the original concept created by Johnny C. Ferraro and Dan Carr. Ferrero is also an executive producer on the new series. The format is distributed by Amazon MGM Studios Distribution.
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