The Blues Brothers head to series television
The Blues Brothers musical duo of Jake and Elwood Blues, made famous by their appearances on SNL and in two feature films, will be recast, with the series taking place just after they both get out of jail. The main plot of the entire series will revolve around Elwood searching for his real father. No casting decisions have been made at this time.
While Universal owns the film rights to the property, Dan Aykroyd and Judith Belushi-Pisano share the television rights. Dan Aykroyd will only appear on the show via his voice, taking on the unseen role of Jake and Elwood's parole officer.
Judith Belushi-Pisano had this to say about taking on this venture.
"I think these are great American characters. We want to keep them alive. We chose to introduce them as new characters but do it in an way that they have some history, have some life behind them."
Anne Beatts had this to say.
"We're not trying to replicate Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi but Jake and Elwood. It would be Route 66 meets Glee, and it all goes to hell in a hand basket."
If the pilot gets picked up, each episode in the series will include one main musical number, with different musicians taking on the role of The Blues Brothers band as Jake and Elwood travel the United States, searching for Elwood Sr.
No production start date has been discussed.
The Blues Brothers was released June 20th, 1980 and stars John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, James Brown, Cab Calloway, Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Steve Cropper, Donald Dunn. The film is directed by John Landis.
Comments (21)
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FibonacciRules
I think it is time for Mr. Aykroyd to cut his losses and double his gains.
Blues Brothers was wonderful on SNL and in the origional movie, TV will kill the franchise like the Ghostbusters cartoon did for the movie. Real fans won't like to see other people play Jake and Elwood doing the same as the movie, the humour won't withstand and new audience will not understand their significance enough to enjoy the music.Also the plot sounds like it's trying too desperate to be like what's already there. maybe enough for one season, then go very thin.
He should stick to what works. Get a GOOD sequel written that does justice to Jake and evolves the charactors. Maybe get fresh eyes with a fresh story who be sentimental and progressive.
Better to split 50% of the profits and the accolades with the studio than to loose 100% of money and reputaion alone.
9 months agoby @FibonacciRulesFlag
moviegeek
@dan1 no kidding :P
9 months agoby @moviegeekFlag
RojoDiablo
I absolutely love the Blues Brothers, Belushi & Aykroyd, and certainly the music they made was great, which I still listen to quite a bit. Judith is a very classy lady and I have enjoyed her previous work about John and her "Samurai Widow" is solid stuff imo but I just don't think this needs to be done and certainly not for television.
9 months agoby @rojodiabloFlag
Rufio
lol @dan1
regarding the idea of this show, i'm not sure. i wasn't a big fan of the movie, but didn't loathe it either. would like to see it as a show if done right: music, acting and all. the premise is lame, though. if they are starting the series post-jail time, isn't elwood a little old to be looking for his father? meshing that premise with glee and snl, shouldn't the show be called: "A Couple of Blues Brothers Gleefully Looking for How Elwood's Mother Met His Father". :P lol
not a fan of the premise, but like the idea of Blues Bros on small screen.
9 months agoby @rufioFlag
Cripple
NEVER
9 months agoby @crippleFlag
XxNickTheFilmCriticXx
Glee meets SNL, anyone?
9 months agoby @XxNickTheFilmCriticXxFlag
Dan
@moviegeek Gotta love that. So if you're under 30, you clearly don't know what you're talking about. That nixes like 95% of the users on the site :P
9 months agoby @dan1Flag
metalhead_925
The first flick is a classic. Truly great music mixed with comedy and top notch acting. I just don't see how they'll be able to do that again that will be entertaining enough.
9 months agoby @metalhead-925Flag
lantimes
this first one is a classic, the 2nd one was sh*t.
9 months agoby @lantimesFlag
lantimes
why , why why
9 months agoby @lantimesFlag
moviegeek
@alansmithee Under 30? that's quite a range haha. And yes, I am :P I'm not going to validate my statement, nor will I make fun of your last name.
9 months agoby @moviegeekFlag
MovieManiac
The first Blues Brothers film is one of my favorite comedy films so i hope they do it justice with this show (I highly doubt that it will happen though).
9 months agoby @moviemaniac66Flag
AlanSmithee
@moviegeek Then you must be under 30 years old, or not able to comprehend entertainment past Justin Bieber.
9 months agoby @alansmitheeFlag
gandoff2169
Idea is a great one. But the ending results are far from showing this as a epic win or a major fail. This could work if did right.
9 months agoby @gandoff2169Flag
moviegeek
I don't even like the movie.
9 months agoby @moviegeekFlag
CelluloidDreams
Strange.....Very strange!! ............interesting that the series is penned by John Belushi's widow !!!
9 months agoby @2movieguysFlag
Dan
*sigh*
9 months agoby @dan1Flag
Popesgruber
Not a wise choice. I'm up for them keeping the Blues Brothers alive but to cast anyone as important as Jake and Elwood is unwise. If it was Elwoods brother searching for Elwood I could do that.
9 months agoby @popesgruberFlag
skywise
i have a bad feeling about this
9 months agoby @skywiseFlag
The Boondock Saint
this could be utter sh*t, or it could be great. i am pretty excited for this one.
9 months agoby @combatmadness360Flag
Wmcnutt28
Not sure how i feel about this LOL
9 months agoby @wmcnutt28Flag