‘American Gladiators’ Rebooted At Amazon
EXCLUSIVE: Prepare the Eliminator, American Gladiators is coming back, again.
Amazon has ordered a reboot of the classic competition series for its Prime Video service. The series is produced by MGM Alternative and Amazon MGM Studios for Prime Video in association with Flor-Jon Films, the production company from American Gladiators series creator Johnny C. Ferraro, who exec produces.
More from Deadline
‘American Gladiators’ Set To Return; MGM Teaming With WWE For Reboot Of Classic Competition Series
Corey Stoll & Bobby Naderi Join Prime Video's 'The Better Sister' As Series Regulars
American Gladiators is considered one of the first reality competition series. It pitted a cast of amateur athletes against each other as well as the shows’ own gladiators across a range of challenges including a tough obstacle course.
The new series includes classic competitions such as Gauntlet, Hang Tough, and, of course The Eliminator.
The move comes as the format has been rejuvenated across the pond where British broadcaster BBC has found success with a new generation of Gladiators. That version has become its biggest entertainment series launch in nearly a decade and was quickly renewed for a second season.
American Gladiators originally launched in syndication and aired weekly between 1989 and 1996. The series was created by Johnny C. Ferraro after he and Dan Carr came up with the original concept for the competition event.
The show was rebooted by NBC in 2008 – during that year’s writers strike – with Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali hosting. It ran for two seasons and was produced by MGM Television and Reveille.
There have been multiple attempts to bring back to screens since. American Ninja Warrior producer A. Smith & Co. was developing a new take on the format in 2014 that never made it to air.
Similarly, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg tried again in 2018, teaming up with MGM to bring it back for its 30th anniversary, without any joy.
Deadline revealed in 2021 that MGM had teamed with the WWE to bring it back in 2021.
Last year, there was a wave of nostalgia, in documentary form, around the brand as both ESPN and Netflix aired documentaries about the brand. The Disney-owned sports network aired 30 For 30: The American Gladiators Documentary, while Netflix launched Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized Story of American Gladiators.
Earlier this year, Ferraro signed with Range Sports to help him bring it back to screens. At the time, the management company said that it had plans to exploit the brand across TV, film, attractions, merchandising and live events.
Amazon itself has been trying to ramp up its unscripted offerings on its Prime Video and Freevee services. It recently launched a U.S. version of British game show The 1% Club, hosted by Patton Oswalt, and premiered reality competition The Goat, hosted by Daniel Tosh.
It is now casting the series.
“Gladiators is an enduring, physical challenge format that continues to engage families around the world,” said Lauren Anderson, head, Brand and Content Innovation, 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.”
“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. This is the ultimate in sports entertainment,” said Barry Poznick, general manager MGM Alternative, Evolution Media and Big Fish Entertainment.
Best of Deadline
Hollywood & Media Deaths In 2024: Photo Gallery & Obituaries
'Knives Out 3': Everything We Know About The Second Rian Johnson Sequel
2024 Premiere Dates For New & Returning Series On Broadcast, Cable & Streaming
Sign up for Deadline's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
