MGM+ Announces New Series Remake of ‘The Magnificent Seven’ by Tim Kring
Less than a month after the conclusion of Billy The Kid, MGM+ has announced the development of a new Western series. The streaming service and linear network has greenlit an adaptation of The Magnificent Seven, helmed by Heroes creator Tim Kring.
Originally popularized by the 1960 film directed by John Sturges, The Magnificent Seven was one of several MGM/United Artists titles earmarked for redevelopment following Amazon’s acquisition of the studio, known for its association with the James Bond franchise.
This new series will offer a distinct interpretation, diverging from an earlier version that was in development under True Detective creator Nic Pizzolatto.
Tim Kring will write the eight-part drama series, which he is co-producing alongside Billy The Kid executive producer Donald De Line, Lawrence Mirisch, and Bruce Kaufman. Production is scheduled to begin in June, with MGM+ Studios and MGM Television Studios handling the project.
Set against the backdrop of the tumultuous 1880s American frontier, the series narrates the story of a profitable Quaker village that faces a massacre orchestrated by mercenaries for a ruthless land baron. In the wake of violence, seven flawed mercenaries are enlisted to safeguard the community from further attacks. As these individuals integrate with the villagers, they confront the profound question of whether violence is justified to defend a people rooted in non-violence. The narrative delves deeply into the backgrounds of the Seven, exploring the stakes involved in their mission.
“Tim Kring is a master storyteller,” stated Michael Wright, head of MGM+. “Tim, Donald De Line, Larry Mirisch, and Bruce Kaufman have crafted a series that delivers the energy of a classic western, honors the legacy of the original film, and reasserts its timeless themes of the power of unity against oppression and flawed heroes finding redemption by helping those who can’t help themselves.”
The Magnificent Seven will be available on MGM+ in the U.S., U.K., Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Chile.
