If Dallas was remade, would it be more diverse?

[Snarky Oracle!]

Someone had talked about a revival starring John Travolta and Larry seemed to agree to this choice.

I would prefer that someone could reprise Josh Henderson's John Ross character for a sequel only tangentially related to Dallas.

The classic saga is now just a pleasant memory.

Hagman preferred Bruce Willis. Duffy thought Travolta was a poor choice, but Travolta would have been better than people think: he's a great mimic and would have impersonated Larry brilliantly.

The film project fell apart because Travolta requested that they do the movie seriously and not comedically (as Hollywood in recent decades chooses to do lazily). And after a number of rewrites in development, they delivered a script which was ..... comedic.

They just couldn't help themselves.

At least, that's what I've heard.

Josh Henderson was perfect (although I've bounced around the idea that he could've been wicked Christopher who bonds more to his Uncle JR than does sweet-natured John Ross). The nuDALLAS had some good scenes, but they almost seemed to be by accident and the producers never noticed -- whenever they focused on the Ewings, it seemed to mostly work. But they just didn't do much of that.

 

[Rove]

I cannot see John Travolta or Bruce Willis playing JR Ewing. An actor today I see playing him would be Jon Hamm. He, at least has a certain swagger about him which leans into the character of JR.

 

[Willie Oleson]

New Jock doesn't like new Gary because new Gary is black.
New Miss Ellie doesn't like new Ray because new Ray is black.
New everbody love new Lucy because new Lucy isn't black.
New JR doesn't like new Bobby because new Bobby is back.
New Sue Ellen doesn't like new Cliff because new Cliff is a hack.
But she sleeps with him anyway because she likes to fack.

 

[DallasFanForever]

If Dallas does get a remake, would the characters and cast be more diverse? And would that have made the show even more interesting?

I think Dallas was perfect for its time and best left there. The TNT reboot, perhaps a good idea on paper, showed you really can’t go home again. It was pretty evident from the start that it was never going to be the same show that we were used to. To me, the show being more diverse today and the different kinds of issues they would tackle has nothing to do with it. Remaking it again at this point would be a disaster. The magic of the original show cannot be duplicated. Not ever.

 

[Willie Oleson]

The magic of the original show cannot be duplicated. Not ever

The TNT reboot, perhaps a good idea on paper, showed you really can’t go home again.

That's a contradiction because the TNT sequel didn't duplicate the magic, it offered a new, raw and darker kind of magic.
Of the four prime time soap hits DALLAS was the one with the most legacy value because John Ross and Christopher (if not in person then at least story-wise) had been an integral part of the classic series - much more than any of the other prime time soap kids.

DYNASTY was the 80s soap with the strongest iconography which made it the perfect candidate for a remake as opposed to a sequel. The new adventures of LB Colby, Danny and Krystina Carrington would be a tough one to sell especially in this day and age when everything needs to be an instant hit.
CWDYNASTY was probably never going to be as good as TNTDALLAS, but the initial premise showed enough promise to justify the remake.
By remixing both the iconic characters and iconic storylines they could have their cake and eat it.
Unfortunately it also wanted to be a new DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and that proved one ingredient too many.

Nevertheless, being the soap addict that I am, I would welcome a Dynasty Sequel or Dallas Remake regardless of the obvious obstacles.
It's not like there's an awful lot to choose from so beggars can't be choosers.
Furthermore, a DALLAS remake doesn't mean they'd have to remake it from the very beginning, they don't even have to remake the most "magical" part of the series.
You only have to read the Dallas Forum to see that there actually is a lot to be improved upon - so why not focus on those stories/seasons?
It could start with the dream season and take it from there, it could start with Pam's crash or Haleyville and remix it into something really good.
It's the same idea as remaking interesting movies that just happened to be badly made.

 

[Snarky Oracle!]

That's a contradiction because the TNT sequel didn't duplicate the magic, it offered a new, raw and darker kind of magic.
Of the four prime time soap hits DALLAS was the one with the most legacy value because John Ross and Christopher (if not in person then at least story-wise) had been an integral part of the classic series - much more than any of the other prime time soap kids.

DYNASTY was the 80s soap with the strongest iconography which made it the perfect candidate for a remake as opposed to a sequel. The new adventures of LB Colby, Danny and Krystina Carrington would be a tough one to sell especially in this day and age when everything needs to be an instant hit.
CWDYNASTY was probably never going to be as good as TNTDALLAS, but the initial premise showed enough promise to justify the remake.
By remixing both the iconic characters and iconic storylines they could have their cake and eat it.
Unfortunately it also wanted to be a new DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES and that proved one ingredient too many.

Nevertheless, being the soap addict that I am, I would welcome a Dynasty Sequel or Dallas Remake regardless of the obvious obstacles.
It's not like there's an awful lot to choose from so beggars can't be choosers.
Furthermore, a DALLAS remake doesn't mean they'd have to remake it from the very beginning, they don't even have to remake the most "magical" part of the series.
You only have to read the Dallas Forum to see that there actually is a lot to be improved upon - so why not focus on those stories/seasons?
It could start with the dream season and take it from there, it could start with Pam's crash or Haleyville and remix it into something really good.
It's the same idea as remaking interesting movies that just happened to be badly made.

I think I agree with all that.

 

[pete lashmar]

I've never been a fan of remakes that use the same stories and plots of the original series.

If execs and writers believe a show is worthy of a reboot/remake they should have a solid focus on what they're embarking on - the characters should obviously be mirrored in some way, but the stories and plots should be new and intriguing.

With Dallas I don't want to see another Who shot J.R or Ewing Inferno - sure I'd like a whodunit and a raging fire, but repurpose those into brand new plots and give viewers something unique.

 

[Willie Oleson]

Combine DOVE HUNT with HALEYVILLE, and Jock's son JR returns home with his new bride Pamela Barnes Ewing.
It's only in the last scene when they arrive at Southfork that we realise just how rich this family is (the credits in the pilot episode only shows the names).
Pamela ends up dead in the swimming pool in the first season finale.

The main feud is between the Ewings and Andersons. Punk is such a great soap name.
Of the Ewing sons Ray Krebbs (who also works at Ewing Oil) is the biggest trouble maker. But then he falls in love with Punk's daughter Muriel, and on top of everything there's the possibility that emotionally bankrupt Mavis Anderson (based on Eleanor Parker's role in HOME FROM THE HILL) is the mother of Jock's illegitimate son.

Bobby is married to the snobbish president of Daughters Of The Alamo, Sue Ellen, but later falls in love with Sue Ellen's sister, Valentine model Kristin.
Sue Ellen, who wants to keep the precious Ewing name at all cost, seduces Bobby's weak and alcoholic brother JR and they marry after her divorce from Bobby.
Doctor Cliff Barnes, added to cast after Pam had drowned, privately investigates the death of his sister, but thanks to Punk's manipulations he stumbles upon a much older mystery: the death of Garrison Southworth.

Angelica Nero, ex-wife of playboy Naldo Marchetta, is the fabulous but deadly owner of Valentine Models Inc.
The second season ends with the shooting in Jock's office. The body turns out to be Garrison Southworth. How confusing.

 

[Rove]

I believe a continuation of Dallas - from TNT - is now a lost cause. They tried, they failed. The problem I have with a reboot is, will it commence in 1978 or today and still use the beautiful ranch that is Southfork. Of course a quick check of Google Earth and Southfork can no longer be considered a ranch so I think it looses it's magic. I suppose Southfork could still be used as the Ewing home but nix any idea of Ray the ranch foreman or mustering cattle.

This is what I loved about Lorimer Dallas; that blend of Ewing Oil and Southfork Ranch and sometimes the blending of the two if it suited JR's needs. I would personally like to see a prequel of Dallas, going so far back as Jock & Jason as teenagers. We know so little about the origins of the Ewing family I believe there is a story or two worth telling. It could easily be set in the mid 1920's when Jock would be around 15.

Yes. I can easily see the Ewing's boys roughing it in the oil fields, covered in grime, dirt, oil and smelling of body odour. I'd love to know more about their parents. Did they have other siblings?

The Ewing family became famous around the world and yet we know very little about the origin name.

 

[LMLDallas78]

Original Dallas will always remain the most iconic and enjoyable series to me.
No one could ever even begin to replace the original cast. I enjoyed TNT Dallas myself but can appreciate why many fans didn't.

Dallas needs to left alone now, no more prequels or sequels. No movies either.

Not sure how the character of JR would fair in todays world. He would probably be hated too much because of his abusive behaviour and villains live a short life on soaps today.

Even if some intelligent being does one day decide to resurrect Dallas or something similar, to me it just can't ever emulate what I love about original Dallas and always will love.