Jaunt, the cinematic VR company, has today revealed 5 different content deals slated to go into production in 2017, one of which—love it or hate it—will be based on the seminal ’90s VR flick The Lawnmower Man (1992). And no, neither Pierce Brosnan nor Jeff Fahey have signed on to reprise their roles as the eccentric scientist Dr. Lawrence Angelo and the intellectually disabled gardener Jobe Smith.
Partnering with rights holders Jim Howell and Rupert Harvey to develop and produce a reimagination of the film, Jaunt is making the low-fi, sci-fi cult classic into an original, scripted, multi-episode series for VR headsets.
“The original movie was a film of unsurpassed imagination and creativity with its ground-breaking use of VR back in 1992,” said Jim Howell. “Together with Jaunt we look forward to a contemporary team bringing to life a whole new world of VR; a world of immersive entertainment and communication. We are very excited to be working with Jaunt to create a VR realization of the film.”
Since it’s still on the drawing board and doesn’t go into production until later this year, we can only speculate on what sort of content a we’re in for.
While we’re sure to get some of this:
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We’re not really expecting much of this based on pure cringe-factor alone:
[gfycat data_id=”IncredibleShyBeauceron”]
Founded in 2013, Jaunt has completed 4 funding rounds totaling over $100M, the most recent being a $65M series C investment led by The Walt Disney Company. Jaunt is developing VR camera hardware (Jaunt ONE, the 3D 360 light-field camera), software, tools, and applications for VR content creators.
Besides the upcoming Lawnmower Man VR series, Jaunt and its content partners are starting production in 2017 on 4 others:
Miss Gloria
A multi-episode series from New York Times Bestselling author, Daniel H. Wilson (Robopocalypse, How to Survive a Robot Uprising). Set in the distant future, the series situates the user in several distinct points of view as a “Robot Hero” tracks down a young girl who has gone missing during an uprising.
Luna
A 12-episode sci-fi suspense series created by Adam Cooper & Bill Collage (Assassin’s Creed, Exodus: Gods and Kings) to be directed by Robert Schwentke (The Divergent Series: Allegiant and Insurgent, Flightplan). LUNA follows an ensemble cast navigating an abandoned lunar base which results in them experiencing fear unlike anyone has felt before.
The Enlightened Ones
An episodic VR series written and produced by Tye Sheridan (X-Men Apocalypse, Ready Player One) and Nikola Todorovic of Aether, Inc. The series is set in an alternative present where a device is discovered bringing immortality to the human race. After the general public is given access to this technology, the world’s governments form an organization to control the crisis of overpopulation.
Bad Trip
A six-episode stoner comedy series from writer/director Todd Strauss-Schulson (Harold and Kumar 3D). The series will place the viewer in the hyper-visual and uncomfortable situation of taking various drugs in environments that are less than ideal.
