A series based on the children's book The Westing Game is coming to HBO Max. The mystery novel was written in 1978 by Ellen Raskin and quickly gained both critical acclaim and commercial success. In 1979, it won the Newbery Medal, the most prestigious award for American children's literature. The story was previously adapted for the screen just one time, lending some plot and characters to the 1997 Showtime movie titled Get a Clue.
Now, per Variety, the book is being developed into a series for HBO Max. The show will be produced by MGM/UA, which has previously released mysteries, including Fargo and The Handmaid's Tale. While there is no word on writers or actors yet, the series' executive producer will be Julie Corman.
HBO Max is planning to expand its young adult offerings. This includes the upcoming Gossip Girl reboot, as well as a potential Pretty Little Liars reboot that could be housed on HBO Max. Although The Westing Game novel is designated for children, the plot touches on some darker and more mature themes—including murder, wealth, and greed—which make it a perfect YA adaptation.
Unfortunately, the first screen adaptation of The Westing Game was critically and commercially panned—but this is likely because the story is much too complicated to cover in the length of a film. Although the movie was not very faithful to the original story, the novel itself contains a confusing web of deception and aliases—not to mention 16 main characters—and therefore needs a more extended amount of time and development. The Westing Game as a series leaves the promise of enough time to fit all the complexities and twists and turns in the original story.
Source: Variety
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