The True Blood reboot has seemingly been canceled at HBO amidst Warner Bros. Discovery’s cost-cutting measures. Created by Alan Ball, the Southern vampire drama aired on HBO from 2008 to 2014 for seven seasons of runaway success. In December 2020, it was reported that a True Blood reboot was in development from Ball and Riverdale showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa. In the following years, there have been a few updates indicating the True Blood reboot has had trouble getting off the ground.
Now, the True Blood reboot appears to be dead for good. Speaking to Variety, HBO and HBO Max content CEO Casey Bloys said that a True Blood reboot was considered and scripts were even developed, “but nothing that felt like it got there.” Bloys didn’t offer any more details, though it certainly seems like the True Blood reboot has been canceled.
Why So Many HBO Shows Are Being Canceled
The True Blood reboot cancelation comes as part of Warner Bros. Discovery’s larger efforts to cut costs across HBO and its other subsidiaries. Soon after Discovery’s acquisition of WarnerMedia, the newly formed conglomerate vowed to cut $3 billion in costs and rein in content expenses. One of the most controversial casualties of this new cost-cutting philosophy has been the Batgirl movie starring Leslie Grace, which was finished filming and intended for release on HBO Max. Similarly, SCOOB! Holiday Haunt was “practically finished” before it was canceled by Warner Bros. Discovery as a cost-cutting measure.
HBO’s flagship shows have also been affected, such as Westworld, which was surprisingly canceled after season 4 and removed from HBO Max, along with a host of other shows that have quietly been taken off the streaming service. Many HBO shows have also been axed while still in development, the latest being the anticipated True Blood reboot. However, based on Bloys’ comment, it seems that the True Blood reboot failed due to creative reasons, rather than financial. Nevertheless, the True Blood reboot’s apparent cancelation will come as a massive disappointment to all who were looking forward to it.
Source: Variety