Keke Palmerwill lead an upcoming series adaptation of the 1989 cult flickThe ‘Burbsfor Peacock. The Joe Dante (Gremlins) horror comedy starred Tom Hanks and Carrie Fisher and centered on a group of suburban neighbors convinced that the new family on the block is part of a murderous Satanic cult. As perVariety, the forthcoming series will film on the backlot of Universal Studios Hollywood, the same spot where the 1989 movie was shot. Peacock is joining forces withSeth MacFarlane(Family Guy) for the upcoming series, which has earned a straight-to-series order.
Check out the show’s official synopsis below:
“Set in present-day suburbia, ‘The ‘Burbs’follows a young couple (with Palmer playing the wife) returning to the husband’s childhood home. Their world is upended when new neighbors move in next door, bringing old secrets of the cul-de-sac to light, and new deadly threats shatter the illusion of their quiet little neighborhood.”
The ‘Burbswas one of Hanks’ earlier films (and released in the same year asTurner Hooch) but followed his successful outing in 1988’sBig; Fisher was a well-known name for her iconic portrayal of Princess Leia in theStar Warsfranchise.The ‘Burbspremiered at the number one spot at the box office during its opening weekend, but lingered somewhere in the middle with critics, as some felt it struggled to find its footing as a comedy, horror, or suburban satire. However,The ‘Burbshas garnered a cult following over the years, making it a prime candidate for a reboot or reimagined version.
Celeste Hughey, who wrote several episodes of the critically acclaimedDead to Meand earned an Emmy nomination for her work onPalm Royale, will write the upcomingThe ‘Burbs. Palmer, Hughey, MacFarlane, Erica Huggins and Aimee Carlson for Fuzzy Door, Brian Grazer, and Kristen Zolner and Natalie Berkus for Imagine Entertainment will executive produce. Dana Olsen, who scribed the 1989 film, has joined the project as a co-executive producer. Universal Studio Group’s UCP is the studio behind the series.
Keke Palmer’s Return to Episodic Horror
Palmer is a talented multi-hyphenate who began her career as a child actress in 2004’sBarbershop 2: Back in Business. Shegained acclaim for her work in 2006’sAkeelah and the Bee, before joining the Nickelodeon universe as the titular character inTrue Jackson, VP. In recent years, Palmer has appeared in several celebrated horror projects, including Jordan Peele’sNope, Scream: Resurrection, andScream Queens. Other notable credits includeAnimal,Pimp, andHustlers.
While Peacock has yet to announce additional cast members forThe ‘Burbs, it would be great to see Palmer reunite with herScream Queensco-star Billie Lourd for the project. Lourd, the daughter of the late Fisher, recently said she’d love to return to theStar Warsfranchise"in any way possible,“and this could be a fun way to see her tied into another one of her mother’s beloved projects.
The Best of Rumsfield Video Reminds Us Why We Love The ‘Burbs So Much
Tom Hanks is the star of The ‘Burbs, but Bruce Dern steals every scene he’s in as the outlandish Vietnam veteran Lt. Mark Rumsfield.
Palmer has several upcoming projects, includingSister Act 3andGood Fortune, which marks Aziz Ansari’s feature directorial debut. The film, which also stars Ansari, Seth Rogen, and Keanu Reeves, follows a struggling man who gets his life swapped with his wealthy friend by a mystical force.
