Zach Galifianakis, Cary Elwes join ‘Very Young Frankenstein’

Cary Elwes, Dolly Wells, Spencer House and Nikki Crawford are also all joining the potential new show, a prequel to Mel Brooks’ ‘Young Frankenstein’.

(Left) Zach Galifianakis during the live ABC Television Network broadcast of the 84th Annual Academy Awards® from the Hollywood and Highland Center in Hollywood, CA, Sunday, February 26, 2012. Credit/Provider: Todd Wawrychuk / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Center) Kumail Nanjiani prior to the 45th Annual Student Academy Awards® on Thursday, October 11, in Beverly Hills. Credit/Provider: Richard Harbaugh / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Right) Actor Cary Elwes prior to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ presentation of its 2016 Academy Nicholl Fellowships Screenwriting Awards & Live Read on November 3, in Beverly Hills. Credit/Provider: Phil McCarten / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

Preview:

The ‘Very Young Frankenstein’ series is going to pilot.
Zach Galifianakis, Cary Elwes, Kumail Nanjiani and more are in the cast.
It’ll be a prequel to Mel Brooks’ ‘Young Frankenstein’.

We learned back in July that, following the ‘Spaceballs’ sequel movie news, another Mel Brooks movie was getting the follow-up treatment. Or in this case, a TV prequel. ‘Young Frankenstein’ is the Brooks project in question and the new show is ‘Very Young Frankenstein.’

Young Frankenstein

"The scariest comedy of all time!"

PGComedy

Audience
Score

Release Date: Dec 15, 1974

Run Time: 1 hr 46 min

Budget: $2,800,000

Starring: Gene Wilder, Peter Boyle, Marty Feldman

While we already knew that Taika Waititi is involved (to direct the pilot) alongside two writers from the ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ TV spin-off, Stefani Robinson and Garrett Basch, the cast has also been revealed.

Zach Galifianakis (‘The Hangover’), Dolly Wells (‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’), Spencer House (‘Space Force’), Nikki Crawford (‘How to Deter a Robber’), and Kumail Nanjiani (‘The Big Sick’) are all aboard.

What was the story of ‘Young Frankenstein’?

(L to R) Teri Garr, Gene Wilder, Madeline Kahn, and Marty Feldman in 'Young Frankenstein'. Photo: 20th Century-Fox.

Brooks’ 1974 horror-comedy starred Gene Wilder (who co-wrote the screenplay with the director) as Frederick Frankenstein, grandson of mad scientist Victor Frankenstein –– the younger Frankenstein pronounces the family name as “Fronkensteen,” to distinguish himself from his ancestor, whose unorthodox experiments have brought the American scientist shame.

When Frederick inherits his grandfather’s Transylvania castle, he wants to prove Victor was not insane. Alongside Igor (pronounced as “Eye-gore”), whose grandfather assisted Victor in the lab, the pair attempts to save the muddied Frankenstein name by creating their own monster. What could go wrong?

The movie also stars Peter Boyle as the monster, Marty Feldman as Igor, Cloris Leachman as Frau Blücher, Madeline Kahn as Frederick’s fiancée and Teri Garr as Inga. Brooks played multiple characters, including voicing Victor Frankenstein.

What’s happening with ‘Very Young Frankenstein’?

Gene Wilder in 'Young Frankenstein'. Photo: 20th Century-Fox.

There are no details as to how the new show will spin off from the movie, but the title suggests turning the clock back to the earlier days of Frederick. Perhaps a college comedy?

None of the freshly–announced cast have character descriptions, so we’ll have to wait for further details –– but Elwes is listed as the star of this one.

When will ‘Very Young Frankenstein’ be on our screens?

The show right now is just a pilot for FX and Hulu, so it’ll need to score a pickup if it’s to go to series. Audiences (and Brooks’ accountant) are no doubt crossing their fingers.