Debuting in 2016 to widespread critical acclaim, HBO’s Westworld hasn’t developed into the network’s successor, Game of Thrones, in the way that was originally planned. Based on the 1973 film of the same name and directed by Michael Crichton, Westworld is a meld of different genres (including the western, sci-fi, and dystopian futurism).
Launching to huge viewer figures on HBO, the series dwindled in popularity over time as audiences became frustrated with the show’s convoluted narrative, interconnected timelines, and characterizations. While the show has not entered the pop culture stratosphere in the way other HBO shows like Game of Thrones or Euphoria have, there’s still plenty to admire and appreciate in this thought-provoking series that examines what it truly means to be human.
Westworld Creators, Jonathan Nolan And Lisa Joy, Are Married
While Westworld as a concept was created by Jurassic Park author Michael Crichton for his 1973 movie, the current series is the brainchild of Jonathan Nolan (Christopher Nolan’s brother and long-time creative partner) and Lisa Joy. What many people may not be aware of is the fact that the creative pair are in fact married.
Meeting on the red carpet of Christopher Nolan’s Memento (via The Guardian), the pair married in 2009 and have two children together. Westworld is the first project where the two have worked together creatively.
More Blade Runner, Less Westworld
The 1973 Michael Crichton Westworld movie is not a classic by any stretch of the imagination. Although it spawned a sequel and a television series, the movie is not an influential sci-fi classic in the same way as Alien, 2001: A Space Odyssey, or Silent Running. When it came to adapting the series for HBO, Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy looked to Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner for inspiration in bringing the android hosts to life.
The inspiration and allusions to Blade Runner in Westworld are clear to see. The sympathetic treatment of the android hosts and their relationship to their creator is heavily indebted to the world of Blade Runner. Also, the prominence of the eye in the opening theme of Westworld is similarly something Blade Runner emphasizes in its exploration of the relationship between humans and Replicants.
There Were Plans For A Movie Reboot Before The Westworld Series Came About
Reboots are nothing new to Hollywood and have become more prominent in recent years as recognizable IP projects have taken preference over originals. Westworld is an example of a reboot that fundamentally alters the premise and raison d'être of the original movie by transforming a sci-fi western about an amusement park gone haywire into an existential drama about the meaning of what it means to be human. However, a more straightforward could have happened in the early 2000s, with Arnold Schwarzenegger set to star.
Around the time of Arnold’s return to the Terminator franchise in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, he was signed on to star in a reboot of the 1973 Michael Crichton movie. In talking about the unmade project, Arnold stated: “I loved the original film when I saw it in 1973 and have wanted to remake it for several years” (via Variety). That remake would never transpire, and the project would go into limbo for over a decade until Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy signed on to revitalize it in 2013.
The Man In Black Could Have Been Played By Clint Eastwood
It’s no secret that the world of Westworld owes a great debt to the John Wayne and Spaghetti Westerns of the 1960s. The visual language and style of Westworld is built upon the legacy of those classic Westerns. If the wishes of Westworld producers had come to pass, the connection between the two could have been cemented even further by the inclusion of Clint Eastwood as The Man in Black.
Appearing in the first season, and all subsequent seasons, The Man in Black (portrayed by Ed Harris) is one of the most ruthless characters on the show. Donning the signature outfit of Yul Brynner’s Gunslinger in the 1973 original, Harris’ character is a twisted inversion of the classic archetype of the cowboy character, which could explain why Eastwood passed on the role. Eastwood has long been known as the quintessential Western hero, starring in some of the best Westerns ever made. Subverting this legacy in Westworld may not have been something Eastwood was keen to explore.
The Galloping Horse In The Opening Is A Reference To The Origin Of Moving Pictures
Westworld pays homage the history of cinema in a number of different ways. References to movies like Blade Runner, The Magnificent Seven, and the Spaghetti Westerns of the 1960s are evident throughout. However, one cinematic reference that may have slipped by cinephiles is the galloping horse in the opening credits.
Eadweard Muybridge’s The Horse in Motion (1878) is a series of photographs of a horse used to depict the action of movement. Largely referred to as “the first film ever,” (via 3000 Facts about TV Shows) its inclusion in Westworld’s opening theme brings attention to artifice and the history of cinematic language, which Westworld draws from heavily.
Eion Bailey Was Originally Cast As Logan, But Dropped Out
Best known for his role as August in Once Upon a Time, Eion Bailey was originally cast in one of the leading roles of Westworld’s first season. Bailey was set to star as Logan, the hedonistic and indulgent brother-in-law of William. However, shortly after he was announced as part of the cast, he abruptly dropped out.
No reason other than scheduling conflict was given as a reason for the actor’s departure (via EW), but given how the gap between his casting and quitting the show was a little over a week, it seems something else behind the scenes may have occurred. Logan would go on to be played by Punisher star Ben Barnes.
Video Game Inspiration
While Westworld owes a huge debt to the history and tradition of cinema, it’s also heavily influenced by the medium of gaming. The open-world nature of the Westworld theme park, its roster of colorful NPCs, and host narratives owe a great debt to some of the best modern open-world video games. This is something that show creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy have openly acknowledged.
In an interview at New York Comic-Con (via Vulture), the pair highlighted games, like Red Dead Redemption and Bioshock: Infinite, heavily inspired the world of Westworld. Bioshock: Infinite, in particular, was a big influence on Jonathan Nolan, who actually met Bioshock creator Ken Levine and discussed aspects of non-player characters with him.
The Iconic Opening Was Created By The Same Team That Created The Game Of Thrones Opening
One of the most visually stunning and eye-catching parts of Westworld is its iconic opening. Set to music by the incredibly talented Ramin Djawadi, the opening of Westworld visually portrays many of the themes of the show. Changing with each season of the show, the opening is key to our understanding of the show.
In creating an iconic opening for Westworld, HBO enlisted the help of Elastic, the same company responsible for the epic opening of Game of Thrones (via Vanity Fair). The creative director Patrick Clair also worked on the opening themes of fellow HBO show True Detective and Daredevil.