FX Orders Pilot for “Very Young Frankenstein”

FX Networks has officially given the green light to a pilot for “Very Young Frankenstein,” a fresh comedic take inspired by the beloved Mel Brooks-Gene Wilder classic.

Cast and Characters

The series will feature an impressive ensemble cast including Zach Galifianakis (known for his roles in “The Hangover” and FX’s “Baskets”), Dolly Wells (“Doll & Em,” “Inside Man”), and Spencer House (“Tell Me Lies,” “The Society”). They will be joined by Nikki Crawford (Broadway’s “Fat Ham,” “Cruel Intentions”) and Kumail Nanjiani (“Silicon Valley,” “The Big Sick”). Furthermore, Cary Elwes, who gained fame from roles in “Robin Hood: Men in Tights” and “The Princess Bride,” is set to star as well.

Plot Information

While specific storyline details remain under wraps, the pilot is inspired by the iconic film “Young Frankenstein.” Sources suggest that Galifianakis is set to portray Dr. Frankenstein, while Elwes will take on the role of the President of the United States. If the pilot is picked up for a series, it will be available for streaming on Hulu.

Creative Team

Created by writer Stefani Robinson, who will also serve as an executive producer alongside Taika Waititi and Garrett Basch, both of whom are alumni of the well-received FX comedy series “What We Do in the Shadows.” Waititi will direct the pilot. The esteemed Mel Brooks, who co-wrote and directed the original movie, will also take on an executive producer role, alongside Kevin Salter and Michael Gruskoff—individuals deeply connected to the legacy of the original film. The studio behind this project is 20th Television.

Talent Representation

The cast includes talent represented by various agencies: Galifianakis is with UTA, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, and Yorn, Levine, Barnes; Nanjiani is represented by Mosaic, UTA, and Origin PR; Crawford is with Artists & Representatives and The Zachary Co.; House is repped by Gersh; Wells is with UTA in the U.S., Independent in the U.K., and manager Heather Nunn; and Elwes is represented by IAG, Link Entertainment, attorney Lev Ginsburg, and Hamilton Hodell in the U.K.

A Classic’s Legacy

The original “Young Frankenstein,” which premiered in 1974, has become a hallmark of American comedic cinema, celebrated by critics and viewers alike for its groundbreaking humor. The film features Gene Wilder as Dr. Frederick Frankenstein, a reluctant heir to his grandfather Victor Frankenstein’s experiments in reanimating the deceased, set against the backdrop of Transylvania.

The original cast boasted talents like Cloris Leachman, Marty Feldman, Teri Garr, Madeline Kahn, Peter Boyle, and Kenneth Mars, alongside a memorable appearance by Gene Hackman as a blind man who encounters the creature.