Outta’ the Way, Westworld — Deadwood’s Back (Almost)

Westworld may be HBO’s new darling, with its 22 Emmy nominations, but diehard western fans will be elated to learn the cable channel’s Deadwood is poised to ride again.

Today on the Television Critics Association tour, HBO Original Programming chief Casey Bloys said he was impressed by creator David Milch’s script for a movie-length send-off more than 10 years after the 2004-2006 series was axed.

“I wanted a script that would stand on its own,” Variety reports. “I’m happy to say that David totally delivered on that. It’s a terrific script.”

But he said there were still hurdles to clear: “If we can do it for a budget that makes sense for us, if we can find a director and we can get the cast together — it’s no easy task — we’re inclined to do it.”

According to Deadline Hollywood, “It was long rumoured that Milch’s next iteration of Deadwood would focus on the town burning (which actually happened on Sept. 26, 1879 taking out 300 buildings) and saloon impresario Al Swearengen fleeing by barge.

“Currently HBO is in production on Westworld at the Melody Ranch in Santa Clarita, CA. That’s the same western set where Deadwood was shot during its three-season series run. For the most part, that same Deadwood set is still standing.”

In other HBO news:

➢ there are four Game of Thrones spin-offs in the works but the first won’t screen until 2019 at the earliest

➢ season three of True Detective is close to a green light

➢ a Chernobyl miniseries co-pro with Sky is due to film this year

➢ Elizabeth Banks, Bryan Cranston, Jimmy Kimmel, Ed Begley, Jr., Carrie Brownstein, Lauren Graham, Nick Offerman, Nasim Pedrad and Elizabeth Perkins are among the guest stars on season nine of Curb Your Enthusiasm, which will premiere in October.