Even after a book, a film, and a revered TV show that was inspired by, but un-tethered from the source material, people still want more Friday Night Lights. Fortunately, if what series star Adrianne Palicki recently revealed proves to be true, a return to Dillon, Texas could be be happening sooner than anyone thought - thanks to Veronica Mars.
While doing press for GI Joe: Retaliation, FNL alum Adrianne Palicki talked about a possible Kickstarter campaign in an effort to continue a story that has already been through five seasons on two networks with a lot of fan support.
Here's what Palicki had to say:
I think they're starting the Kickstarter, which is insane. It's crazy. I have multiple feelings on it. I love it so much and I'm afraid that a movie might ruin it and I don't want that to happen. We went out on top. At the same time, to get to be on that show again, I would die for it. I would love to do it. I'm right there in the middle.
Palicki's assertion that there may be a Kickstarter campaign on the way came out of nowhere, but the success of the Veronica Mars movie Kickstarter made campaigns such as this real and possible - something that show creator (and director of the first film) Peter Berg may have seized on. Berg has had an interest in bringing the show back for years, telling MTV back in February of last year:
"Jason Katims, who was our super talented show-runner, is about done with the script," Berg said. "You never know. So much of these things become scheduling. Kyle [Chandler] is busy, Adrianne [Palicki] is busy, Taylor is busy, Connie Britton is busy, but if we can get everyone in the same room at the same time, we all want to do it. We're not done with 'Friday Night Lights.' "
Berg later revealed in that interview that the plot would focus on Coach Taylor and his wife Tami (Chandler and Britton) and that it would parallel the rise and fall and rise again of real life college football coach Mike Leach. Who knows if that's still where they want to go with this, though. Of course, not everyone may be as interested in returning as Berg.
For Chandler, he didn't seem terribly interested in returning to FNL when he spoke with MTV back in December:
It was a great movie with Billy Bob. And it was a great TV show. I've never had more fun doing anything. Every day on that set, I think I speak for all of us that went to that set, it was like the first day of rehearsing a play, which is the most enjoyable day, I think. And we just had so much fun. It was a great show. I really enjoy it. I still like watching the show again. Because it was so creative - the process. But they ended it at exactly the right time and exactly the right way, as well.
Angling for a little more, Chandler was asked: "So you don't think anything was left on the table? You're happy with where Coach was left?" to which Chandler replied: "I'm so happy, I think they did a great job..."
Other cast members like Taylor Kitsch and Minka Kelly have also voiced contentment with where the show and/or their characters left off, but no one has said that they wouldn't be interested in returning.
The notion that the show left off perfectly is an understandable one. After struggling to stay on the air, FNL's second life at Direct TV gave them not just three more seasons, but also a chance for closure - and they accomplished that (leaving all of the main characters in a satisfying place). With that said, if the same filmmakers who crafted that end think they can do better, and can get everyone back on board with clear eyes and full hearts, then we can't lose, can we?
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We'll keep following any and all Friday Night Lights developments, so stay tuned.