It’s not Friday Night Lights without Coach Taylor.
In case you missed the news, Friday Night Lights is back. Well, it’s almost back. Actually, it’s rumored to be back. I don’t want to spread any misinformation before anything is official, but all signs are pointing towards the beloved show being yet another throwback program in the modern age getting the “reboot treatment.” Not all shows need to be revived, though I and a multitude of others can get behind the return of Friday Night Lights.
Variety has confirmed that a fresh take on Friday Night Lights is in the works at Universal Television. However, fans might be disappointed to hear that it’s set to take place in the “same universe” of the original show, but it’s not expected to return any original cast members. So those that were hoping to see fan favorite characters played by Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, Gaius Charles and Jesse Plemons again… it won’t exactly be that.
Though the program is expected to bring back some intricate parts of the production, with series show runner Jason Katims and executive producer Brain Grazer returning to tackle the revived football franchise (pun intended).
A ‘FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS’ reboot is in the works.
The series will be set in the same universe as the original but with new characters.
(Source: https://t.co/DbePCn176L) pic.twitter.com/qbK6FiDy70
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) November 15, 2024
The series was inspired by a 1990 novel written by H.G. Bissinger that was also titled Friday Night Lights. And the TV show wasn’t even the first time that book was adapted on screen. Some might also remember FNL being a movie that starred Billy Bob Thornton. I can assure you that you weren’t dreaming that – it was very much a real movie, and arguably opened the door for the show to exist only a couple of years later.
The original Friday Night Lights series ran from 2006 to 2011, with the earlier seasons airing on NBC and the later finding a home at AT&T’s The 101 Network. For that aren’t familiar with the program, it closely followed a number of intricate storylines surrounding a high school football team in a fictional town of Dillon, Texas. Kyle Chandler played the iconic Coach Taylor.
Some might say his performance in the role made the entire show.
Which is why the news that he apparently won’t be a part of the reboot is hard to swallow – and also takes away some of the excitement and anticipation. Chandler stopped by TODAY this morning to talk about another one of his new projects – a comedic action film with Jamie Foxx and Cameron Diaz titled Back in Action.
Interviewer Savannah Guthrie helped to promote the upcoming movie, but later had to ask if “Coach Taylor” had heard from anyone in regards to the reboot. Chandler somberly shook his head, raised up his hands and said:
“I have not. No calls. Nothing.”
Absolute bummer.
Guthrie went on to ask how Chandler would respond if he were to get a call to return as everyone’s favorite high school football coach. The 59-year-old actor shrugged again and replied:
“I don’t know what I’d say.”
All in all, the interview didn’t seem all that promising – though he did admit to gettting a little emotional talking about Friday Night Lights. For those that were hoping Kyle Chandler would say he’s “all in” on returning to his Coach Taylor role and that he had been in contact with the team behind the reboot on a regular basis… what we got in this TODAY interview was basically the opposite:
Clear eyes, full heart, BRING COACH TAYLOR BACK OR THERE’S NO POINT.
