Bryan Fuller wants to make Pushing Daisies into a stage musical. When it comes to quality and creativity, few Hollywood creators have a better resume than Fuller. Unfortunately, as beloved as Fuller's projects tend to become, that rarely translates into massive long-term success. Fuller has created, co-created, or developed no less than six different TV series, four of which would go on to be canceled after airing three seasons or less. It remains to be seen how long the currently airing American Gods and Star Trek: Discovery will last, although it's worth noting that Fuller left the latter series long before it premiered.
One of the aforementioned beloved but short-lived series to be created by Fuller was Pushing Daisies, which aired for two seasons and 22 episodes total. Pushing Daisies debuted on ABC in fall 2007, but would go on to be one of many series to see their seasons cut short due to the late 2007-early 2008 writers' strike. A critical darling, Pushing Daisies was never a big ratings hit, but managed to earn itself a second season renewal. Unfortunately, ten months would go by between the airing of the season 1 finale and the season 2 premiere. This didn't help the ratings issue, and ABC canceled the show halfway into season 2, although the remaining episodes did eventually air.
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With nearly a decade having now passed since Pushing Daisies came to an end, it appears that Fuller would still very much like to return to the darkly whimsical world of The Piemaker. In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Fuller made it known that he's not only open to the idea of a TV revival of the show, but also open to the idea of reviving Pushing Daisies as a stage musical. Here's his full quote.
"I still would love to do Pushing Daisies as a Broadway musical. I’d love to see it return as a mini-series for Netflix, Apple, or Amazon, or whoever would pick it up. I love these actors. I love Lee Pace like a brother. I love Anna Friel like a sister. Chi McBride is such a wonderful ball of light that can only be matched by Kristin Chenoweth’s ball of light."
"I ask Warner Brothers every year to see if they’d be open to it. There are some obstacles there as far as revitalizing it as a television show, but like I said, I’d love to see it as a Broadway musical. I can just imagine Tim Minchin’s lyrics, can’t you? If you’re reading this article, Tim, call me!”
For those unfamiliar, Minchin is primarily known as a comedian and musician, and served as both the composer and lyricist for the well-received stage musical adaptations of Matilda and Groundhog Day. Minchin is also an occasional actor, and played a memorable recurring role on the sixth season of Showtime comedy Californication. Minchin's offbeat brand of humor seems like it would likely be a natural compliment to Fuller's, so it's not hard to see why Fuller would want to work with him.
If Pushing Daisies were to be revived as a musical, one wonders how many of the series' stars would be up for reprising their roles. Kristin Chenoweth and Ellen Greene both have extensive backgrounds in musical theater - and sang on the series itself - making them the most logical candidates to come back. Lee Pace, Anna Friel and Swoosie Kurtz have also spent a lot of time onstage, and have a demonstrated ability to sing. Chi McBride originally wanted to pursue a career in music before becoming an actor, and used to sing in gospel choirs. All in all, if Fuller can somehow make a musical happen, he seems to have a cast perfectly suited for the job, should they want to return.
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Source: Vanity Fair