The Veronica Mars franchise is alive and well outside the confines of its TV beginnings. First there was the Kickstarter-funded movie, now details have been announced for internet spin off Play It Again, Dick, which looks to be headed in more of a Curb Your Enthusiasm direction. Focusing on lothario Dick Casablancas, the series goes metatextual by simultaneously documenting Ryan Hansen, the actor who plays him.
While VM fans have been aware of this project since the start of the year, they will be delighted to learn that Kristen Bell is returning in a dual role as Veronica and herself. It’s unclear whether the fictional world of Mars is following on from events in the film or if the characters have a whole new scenario. From what creator Rob Thomas is saying, it seems the tried and tested formula of showbiz egos running rampant will be applied to Hansen’s actorly exploits:
It will be about Ryan Hansen, or at least a version of Ryan Hansen, deciding to capitalize on the current ‘Veronica Mars’ heat to get his own series on the air.
The original show about a perky student investigator aired from 2004-7 and made a star out of Bell. Other cast members hitching a ride on the Interweb Express include Jason Dohring, Enrico Colantoni and Percy Daggs III.
Play It Again, Dick will be released on the CW Seed on September 15th and is a production of CW Digital. Hopefully fans will enjoy the shift in tone and the comeback of their beloved central character in a supporting role. The eight part series should also serve as a litmus test on show revivals via other mediums – Arrested Development made the leap from Fox to Netflix, but Thomas is ploughing various furrows in what has so far been a successful attempt to bring life back to a scenario long-thought defunct.
Source: Variety
