If you’re a child of the ‘90s, perhaps you hold some nostalgia for the late Friday nights you may have spent watching T.G.I.F. on ABC, a touchstone for teen-friendly programming that catered to its audiences with titles like “Full House,” “Boy Meets World,” “Family Matters,” and so many more. In a roster of shows that mixed comedy ocasionally with real life “issues,” “Sabrina The Teenage Witch” always seemed a touch out of place. Based on the popular Archie Comics of the same name from the ‘60s, the show lasted seven seasons off the charm of Melissa Joan Hart and the comedic presence of Caroline Rhea and Beth Broderick, yet stood out as a series steeped in fantasy and lore that was typically absent from the “T.G.I.F.” lineup.
Well if you have any nostalgia for the series, Sony Pictures is now hoping to turn that into a trip to the theater as they’ve just waved their wands to help conjure a new and “edgier” “Sabrina the Teenage Witch.” “Die in a Gunfight” screenwriters Andrew Barrer and Gabriel Ferrari are behind this one, with “Real Steel” producers Don Murphy and Susan Montford on board as well. Apparently the pair pitched the idea at a recent meeting with Sony Pictures, along with “Mean Girls” director Mark Waters, who reportedly might even helm the thing depending on what his schedule looks like. Jon Goldwater of Archie Comics will be serving as executive producer along with “Bridge to Terabithia” screenwriter Jeff Stockwell as co-producer.
“Sabrina the Teenage Witch” (or “Superhero”) will follow the animated and live-action incarnations of the story, where Sabrina is a blossoming young witch who’s coming to terms with her power amid a normal teenage life in high school. The wise-cracking talking black cat Salem isn’t going anywhere (THANK, GOD!), but his back story has now been changed to a prince who was transformed into the cat, and he creates unique love stories for Sabrina. We’ll have to see if these changes draw the sort of vitriol that the recent “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”-gate has, but we’re guessing not.
Apparently this is a priority for the studio, so if you’re clamoring for a “Sabrina the Teenage Witch” feature film, get ready. [Deadline]