In the ’50s and ’60s, TV westerns often dominated the primetime schedules, but by the early ’70s, they all seemed go by the wayside. Attempts to revive them haven’t been met with much success, save for the Maverick feature film starring Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, and James Garner.
Now The Big Valley, the western series that launched the careers of Linda Evans and Lee Majors, is going to take a stab at a remake, with Susan Sarandon, Ryan Phillipe, Richard Drefuss, and Bruce Dern in key roles.
The Big Valley originally ran on ABC from 1965 to 1969. Barbara Stanwyck plays a widowed matriarch running a ranch in California. She has three sons and a daughter (Richard Long, Peter Breck, Charles Briles, and Linda Evans). Her late husband’s illegitimate son (Lee Majors) joins the clan as the series begins. The family’s youngest son, a medical student named Eugene (Briles), was written out during the first season.
Filmmakers Daniel Adams and Kate Edelman Johnson are behind The Big Valley feature under the banner Panther Entertainment. Adams has written the script and will direct, and Johnson happens to be the daughter of Louis Edelman, who helped create the TV series. It’s expected that the plot will borrow elements from the TV show’s pilot and some episodes. Edelman Johnson has said, “I am so thrilled to be filming this project, not only to honor my father and Miss Stanwyck, but to bring a great woman’s part to the screen as head of this historical family saga.”
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Taking on the “great woman’s part” of Victoria Barkley is Susan Sarandon. Despite a very recent breakup with longtime beau Tim Robbins, Sarandon is as busy as ever, with The Lovely Bones being released late last year, the original film You Don’t Know Jack airing on HBO next month, and two more films, Peacock and Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, being released later this year.
Additionally, Ryan Phillippe recently said that he would be filming a role in the feature. The actor also said that he’d be co-starring with Sarandon, Billy Bob Thornton, Richard Drefuss, and Bruce Dern.
According to IMDB, Jason Alan Smith will be playing hot-headed brother Nick. Phillippe will be playing eldest brother Jarrod but the movie’s Facebook page says that Thornton will not be in the film. Majors is scheduled to appear as patriarch Tom Barkley, though one would expect it won’t be an extended role. Breck is reportedly ill. No word yet if Evans will be asked to appear in the movie.
Filming is expected to get underway in May with principal photography in Michigan and New Mexico.
What do you think? Is the movie casting on track or do you have others in mind? Would you like to see Breck and Evans take part?
Does anyone know WHERE in michigan they shot the movie???
I have written a show that is set in the 1920’s which shows where each of the siblings are in life, complete with children and grandchildren. It would be a great way to actually bring back the original actors into the roles that they had original created. It takes into account the deaths of Stanwick and Long by having them be deceased and now buried along side of their late spouses and it also takes Breck’s failing health into account by having him only appear very briefly at the beginning and dying immediately. It also uses clips form original episodes… Read more »
lee majors was on one of csi: ny
My goodness we are such big fans of the big valley. I believe if they choose the right actors this can be a hit. Heath, Nick and Jarrod were heaven to watch. The women were such ladies. Do not ruin such a great idea by bringing in bad actors.
I would love to see a remake of the Big Valley. Linda Evans should be cast as Victoria Barkley. even though Peter Breck is ill, they should figure out a way to include him in the movie.
I think it would be GREAT to have the original actors in the new show!! I just saw my favorite Lee Majors talking about the show. It would be wonderful if it takes off and families start to watch the NEW series!!! Like Lee says… I hope they have a MAGNIFICENT writer to bring this WESTERN alive. Then people will tune in every week. Dalton says : BRING IT BACK!
yeah lets great all fans write for new big valley series
Yes, I would like to see Linda Evans in the movie The Big Valley.
I have to say that I like the original actors so much that I suspect I’ll be disappointed in the film.
I’ve been watching Big Valley reruns lately and it’s amazing how great an actor Peter Breck is–he’s extremely underrated.
yes indeed breck was quick tempered, growing up around his father tom , he should be more like tom than lee majors char heath, when I saw bg vlly I wanted to be heath, breck maybe could care less about acting now or is unable, from the biggest fan of the original.
‘The Big Valley’ and’ The Fugitive’ were my 2 favorite T.V shows, growing up. I thought Peter Breck as Nick Barkley made the show. He was superb in ‘ Night of the Wolf’ which was the best episode of the series, in my opinion. It co-starred Ronny Howard ( he had to have the best agent in Hollywood) and Nancy Olson. They were a very close family who argued alot ( especially Jarrod and Nick), but would stand by each other, when it was needed most. It was a well- casted show. Richard Long ( I could not believe it,… Read more »
I am one of the biggest fans of the show The Big Valley, and have always liked the part of Nick, And Linda Evans what a beautiful woman then and throughout the years, and a very good actress. I wholeheartedly agree that it would be fantastic to have Linda Evans play the part of Victoria, (though it probably will not happen). But I think that having Peter Breck, Lee Majors, and Linda Evans in the movie someway would be a automatic, no brainer. I have had the thought in recent years that I should attempt to write a couple movies… Read more »
Would like to have been asked. I’ve been out of the military now for 39 years.
where can i write to get u on is there a big valley site where i can write to you and lee majors ,and ms evans
where can i write to get u on is there a big valley site where i can write to you and lee majors ,and ms evans i think you were slighted a bit
if they don’t give u part be the director on series when it comes if their smart
I can’t wait until the remake comes out!! I would love to see Linda Evans as Mrs. Barkley. No to Susan S. in anything. Yuk!! She is not worthy.
i fell the same
How come only the 1st season and 2nd seasonVOL.1 has been released on DVD,but not the other seasons?
I heard the Season One did’nt sell well….so they stopped.
I grew up watching this family western drama, it was a family event at our home. I have always been a fan of the actors as well as the series. I strongly feel a need to allow
previous actors to reprise there role in a show that allow them to be a part of my life, i hope many other fans feel as passionate about the original cast as well as the remake as I do. I’m looking foward to it,(having a HUGE crush on Mrs. Sarandon)
definitely have linda evans play barbara stanwyck. she worked with her they were very close till the end of barbaras life, and barbara stanwyck would be delighted to have linda evans play her. screw susan sarandon.
i’am fanatic this show…have all this chapters…i i like see LINDA EVANS in role VICTORIA BARKLEY…AND BRECK LIKE THIS “MERCHANDISE OF DEATH” (JAMES WHITMORE IN ONE SEASON)…LEE MAJORS LIKE TOM BARKLEY…MICHAEL OHEANR LIKE HEATH BARKLEY…I WISH CONTACT WICH FANATIC THIS SHOW..IAN VENEZUELAN…I WISH GRATULATION FOR THIS PROYECT.
I love the Big Valley….best western ever. To me what made this show better than all the rest was the comraderie of the 3 brothers (by the way I am from 3 brothers) and the afluence of the Barkley clan. Nick was my favorite (if you’re listening Peter Breck) and Jarrod was fantastic. The cynergy was so great and I still to this day hope I hit the Powerball so I can recreate my life into the Barkley family. Linda Evans provided eye candy and a reason for the brothers to protect. Victoria was in charge and was the perfect… Read more »