FX Adapting Movie ‘Fargo’ for Television

Break out the wood chipper. It was recently announced that cable network FX is in the process of turning the 1996 best picture nominee “Fargo” into a television series.

For those unfamiliar, “Fargo” stars Frances McDormand and William H. Macy and is about a car salesman who hires two criminals to kidnap his wife. While this is going on, a pregnant police chief (McDormand) is on the case.

Anyone worried about the show losing focus of what made the movie so popular can rest easy knowing that writers Ethan and Joel Coen have approved the adaption to the small screen. The brothers have signed on to executive produce the show. It is unknown at this time how much input the duo will have with the show, but it is a vote of confidence knowing they are attached to the project.

With cable television becoming more recognized by the day as a home to quality programming, FX has found themselves near the top of that list. The network is home to such critically acclaimed shows such as “Sons of Anarchy,” “American Horror Story” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” If done right, a “Fargo” show could fit right in with the networks edgier fare.

Movie adaptions to the small screen are certainly nothing new. For every success, there have been just as many failures. It is safe to say making the move to television is hit or miss. Based on the 1970 film, the Korean War comedy “M*A*S*H” ran for eleven seasons going off the air in 1983. The show’s series finale ranks as the most watched television episode of all time.

In 1986, Matthew Broderick played a high school wise guy who skipped school for the day in “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” The film was a huge it, grossing over 70 Million on a six million budget. Four years later in 1990, a television show was made based on the hit movie. Starring none other than a young Jennifer Aniston as Ferris’ sister, “Ferris Bueller” was cancelled after just thirteen episodes.

This isn’t the first time “Fargo” tried moving to the small screen. Back in 1997, a pilot was shot starring Edie Falco (“The Sopranos”). However, with no involvement from the Coen Brothers the show didn’t end up making it.

Along with being nominated for best picture, “Fargo” also won Oscars for Best Original Screenplay and Best Actress. It will be interesting to see if a movie that well liked will be able to translate to the small screen. Just last Friday the movie was shown outside on the side of the Radisson Hotel in downtown Fargo, a part of the city’s second annual Fargo Fest that included a chance to win a 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera, as seen in the movie.

The Coen’s next movie, “Inside Llewyn Davis,” is due in theaters next February. People may have their doubts over the adaption, but with the Coen Brothers at least partially involved it should be worth checking out.