Django is an upcoming television series created by Leonardo Fasoli and Maddalena Ravagli for Sky and Canal+. It is an English-language reimagining of the 1966 film of the same name.
| Django | |
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| Genre | Western Period drama |
| Created by | Leonardo Fasoli and Maddalena Ravagli |
| Based on | Django by Sergio Corbucci |
| Written by |
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| Story by |
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| Directed by | Francesca Comencini |
| Starring |
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| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | Sky UK, Canal+ |
Premise
The series takes place in the Old West of the 1860s–1870s. Django finds his way to New Babylon, a city founded by John Ellis, where all manner of outcasts are welcome regardless of their background or beliefs. Eight years earlier, Django's family was murdered, but he believed that his daughter Sarah survived. He has been searching for her ever since. Django finds her in New Babylon, and she is about to marry Ellis. However, Sarah does not want Django to remain in town, fearing that trouble will follow him. Django is determined not to leave her again.[1]
Cast
- Matthias Schoenaerts as Django, a man searching for his daughter, Sarah, after the rest of their family was murdered.
- Noomi Rapace as Elizabeth, merciless enemy of John Ellis.
- Nicholas Pinnock as John Ellis, founder of New Babylon, a welcoming city to outcasts of any background .
- Lisa Vicari as Sarah, Django’s long lost daughter, soon to marry John Ellis.
- Jyuddah Jaymes, Eric Kole, and Benny Opoku-Arthur as John Ellis' sons.
- Tom Austen
- Abigail Thorn
Episodes
| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original release date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "TBA" | Francesca Comencini | TBA | TBA |
| 2 | "TBA" | Francesca Comencini | TBA | TBA |
Production
Development
The series was announced and commissioned by Sky Italia/Sky Studios and Canal+ in April 2015 as being developed as an Italian-French co-production by Cattleya and Atlantique Productions. It was originally to consist of 12 fifty-minute-long episodes, with the potential for future seasons.[2][3] Maddalena Ravagli wrote a series treatment with Francesco Cenni and Michele Pellegrini loosely based on the 1966 film Django, directed by Sergio Corbucci, and Ravagli went on to create and write the series with Leonardo Fasoli. Francesca Comencini was set to direct the first episodes of the 10-episode series and serve as the artistic director.[4][5]
Casting
In February 2021, it was announced that Matthias Schoenaerts had been cast as Django.[1] In May 2021, additional casting was announced including Noomi Rapace, Nicholas Pinnock, and Lisa Vicari, among several more.[5]
Filming
The production worked with Bucharest-based Frame Film to coordinate filming in Romania. Initially planned to run from November 2020 to December 2021, preparations for filming actually began in February 2021. The production closed the Racoș volcano to outside visitors without advanced notice. This caused a disruption for visitors that had planned visits to the popular tourist destination, only to be turned away by posted signs warning that they could not enter or take photos of the area.[6] Djano is the largest television production in Romania,[7] taking advantage of the country's cash rebate incentives and an early re-opening to international productions without quarantine requirements provided COVID-19 vaccinations are complete.[8]
Set design was done by scenographer Paki Meduri, who constructed New Babylon in Racoș using construction methods from the era to create scenery resembling the Old West.[7] The production began filming in May 2021, with filming expected to continue for over six months. Additional filming will take place in Bucharest and the Danube area.[9][10]
References
- ^ a b Kanter, Jake (18 February 2021). "Matthias Schoenaerts Cast As Django In Sky/Canal+ Remake Of Classic Italian Western". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation.
- ^ "Italian cult films 'Django' and Dario Argento's 'Suspiria' to be adapted for television". PopOptiq. 2015-04-09. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
- ^ Vivarelli, Nick (2015-04-08). "'Django' And Dario Argento's 'Suspiria' To Be Adapted Into International TV Series". Variety. Retrieved 2021-05-21.
- ^ Ritman, Alex (18 February 2021). "Matthias Schoenaerts to Play Django in 'Gomorrah' Team's Spaghetti Western Reboot for Sky/Canal+". The Hollywood Reporter. PMRC.
- ^ a b Hopewell, John; Vivarelli, Nick (11 May 2021). "Noomi Rapace, Nicholas Pinnock Join Matthias Schoenaerts in 'Django,' From Sky and Canal Plus (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Penske Media Corporation.
- ^ Luțac, Răzvan (8 May 2021). "Vulcanul de la Racoș nu poate fi vizitat până în 2022: de luni se filmează serialul Django". Libertatea (in Romanian).
- ^ a b Vasiliu, Oana (11 May 2021). ""Django" series with Matthias Schoenaerts to start filming in Romania". Business Review.
- ^ Evans, Chris (18 February 2021). "Exclusive: Sky TV series Django to film in Romania from May". www.kftv.com.
- ^ Dohotariu, Antoaneta (2021-05-17). ""Django" a ajuns în România și se simte ca la mama lui acasă, în Arizona. "Când un film mare vine cu cortul la tine în sat, viața satului se schimbă definitiv" • B365". B365 (in Romanian).
- ^ FNE Staff (10 May 2021). "Sky TV Series Django Starts Shooting in Romania - FilmNewEurope.com". filmneweurope.com.
