Published 11:07 IST, September 4th 2019
Apple cancels its first major original Drama series called 'Bastards'
Apple hasn't even launched Apple TV+ yet and the company has already scrapped plans for its first major original series 'Bastards' starring Richard Gere.
Apple hasn't even launched its streaming service Apple TV+ yet and the company has already scrapped plans for its first major original Drama series 'Bastards' starring Richard Gere. The series was based on the Israeli series 'Nevelot'. Gere was to play one of the two lead roles and Howard Gordon and Warren Leight was set to executive produce the series, according to The Hollywood Reporter. In what could be probably the Apple original series, Gere was to play the role of one of the two elderly Vietnam vets. Best friends who find their monotonous lives turned upside down when a woman they both loved fifty years ago gets killed by a car, the story plot reveals.
Creative differences?
According to the report, creative differences between Apple, Gordon, and Leight led to the nascent streamer releasing the project and paying out a sizeable financial penalty to the producers. There is still no official launch date for the Apple streaming service. Meanwhile, Apple has started running promo teasers and trailers for what is expected to be its initial programming slate. The company's initial programming slate may include 'The Morning Show' starring Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon and 'Dickinson' starring Hailee Steinfeld. More details awaited as to what Apple has in store for its streaming services as well as its users.
As per The Hollywood Reporter's report, Gordon, with the help of Leight, wanted to focus on the darker aspects of the series. But to the bad news, Apple had some other plans in mind. The reporter states that Apple is looking for 'aspirational programming' and the company wanted to focus on the 'heart and friendship' between the two main characters in the story. Since Apple was not on the same page with producers of the show, it ended up paying out a significant financial penalty. It is unclear whether Apple has plans to continue its search for finding a new home for the show 'Bastards.'
Apple TV+ India launch
Apple TV+ subscription-based service is expected to launch in India sometime this month. In March, Apple officially announced its foray into the video streaming market to compete with other subscription OTT streaming platforms like Netflix. While Apple did not reveal the exact pricing and availability at that time, it confirmed that the service would launch in more than a hundred countries, including in India. Apple TV+ service will also merge with a new, incoming Apple TV app.
Updated 11:18 IST, September 4th 2019