'Deadwood' revival news: HBO planning to start production in 2018

"Deadwood" website
"Deadwood" revival set for 2018 production

Reports say filming for the movie revival of "Deadwood" may start in 2018.

According to TV Line, the reunion project has yet to receive a formal green light from HBO, but sources close to the situation has confirmed that the company is planning to start film production in fall 2018.

The wait has been long for the historical crime drama, whose revival has been talked about since August 2015. At last summer's Television Critics Association press tour, HBO topper Casey Bloys said the project is finally picking up steam. "The one thing that I was concerned about was I wanted a script that would stand on its own," he said.

Bloys added that he has received a "terrific script" from series creator David Milch. "If we can do it on a budget that makes sense for us, and if we can get the cast together, we're inclined to do it," he shared.

The HBO executive has earlier confirmed that they have been in talks with the series' cast, and that they are willing to do the revival.

According to Deadline, some cast members have already read a draft of the script, which has long been rumored to tell the story of a town burning on Sept. 26, 1879 — a true story that burned down some 300 buildings.

"Deadwood" was an eight-time Emmy winner. Its 36-episode series aired for three seasons on HBO from 2004 to 2006. Set in the late 1800s, the drama followed the intricate lives of the residents of Deadwood, South Dakota, a town deep in corruption and crime.

Its former cast includes Ian McShane as Al Swearengen, Timothy Olyphant as Seth Bullock, Molly Parker as Alma Garret, Brad Dourif as Doc Cochran and W. Earl Brown as Dan Dority, among many others. HBO has yet to announce which or if all of them will get together for the revival movie.