Why A Nikita Reboot Can Work
Nikita
Why bother remaking La Femme Nikita? The 1990 French action film about a criminal-turned-government assassin already has been remade as a U.S. feature film starring Bridget Fonda and as a basic cable TV series starring Peta Wilson.
"It's been done," concedes executive producer Craig Silverstein, who's behind the CW's forthcoming Nikita reboot.
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But after screening the pilot for Comic-Con attendees Saturday, he explained why he chose to take on the task.
"I knew it would be important to come up with a unique take," said Silverstein, whose producing credits include Bones, K-Ville and Standoff. His Nikita takes place after the titular character has escaped the dubious agency that recruited her — in this version, it's The Division — and is in pursuit of answers.
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The fast-moving pilot will remind action fans of the early days of Alias and Dark Angel. In other words, good stuff to be had. Shane West and Lyndsy Fonseca also star.
"No one's told her story after the fact," star Maggie Q said. "No one knows where she is going."
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Producers have come also come up with another twist, revealed at the end of the first episode, that sold Silverstein on the project.
"All of a sudden," he said, "it was like, 'Even I don't know how this is going to end!'"
Nikita premieres Sept. 9 at 9/8c on the CW.