After a seven-year hiatus, the hit western crime drama Justified is slated to be revived potentially with legendary director Quentin Tarantino, whose name is noticeably absent from the official cast and crew list. His involvement alone may have been the catalyst to the revival gaining traction, but his potential absence from the project might render the Justified revival superfluous. The series ended with a critically acclaimed sixth season, which would make a poorly made reboot particularly disappointing—especially if this were a result of a last-minute director change. This has led to discussions about why Justified originally ended and if a revival should even be attempted.
The original TV series followed the main character Raylan Givens, a U.S. Marshall from East Kentucky, as he struggles to investigate criminal families and personal dilemmas. Each season expands on the last as Raylan uncovers deeper connections between criminal organizations and new layers are added to form an intricate web of moral dilemmas. He's forced to go beyond protocol and the line of duty to do the right thing, often at personal cost. Justified was well-received by fans and critics for its smart and compelling writing, with a consistent production value and top drawer acting performances from Justified's Sam Elliot, Timothy Olyphant, and others. The main character is played by Timothy Olyphant, as he, along with much of the original cast and crew, is set to reprise his role for the upcoming revival.
The idea of Tarantino directing anything is an exciting prospect. No doubt, Tarantino is a living legend in the industry, as the director of acclaimed films such as Pulp Fiction and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. His involvement as a filmmaker is almost a guarantee of success, given his track record. There have reportedly been talks with Tarantino about directing the Justified revival, as he himself is a fan of both the show and the writer of the original novel by Elmore Leonard. He's also worked on other television series by directing episodes in Motherhood, CSI, and ER, so it's not a complete surprise that he showed professional interest in this series. Tarantino may be able to find a creative direction to breathe life into a long-awaited reprisal, even if he were to only direct an episode or two.
Tarantino is connected to the I.P. of the show and has purchased film rights to 40 Lashes Less One, a Leonard novel, that could be the 10th and final film of Quentin Tarantino's career. The show Justified was in very good hands originally, but many things can change in seven years—inspiration and aspiration not excluded. The risk of failure is always present, but a legendary director at the helm does alleviate some of this. Great shows, films, novels, or any piece of media all have the same thing in common; the creator had a vision they wanted to realize or a story they wanted to tell. The original showrunners seem to have met that goal, and Tarantino may have a fresh one to bring to the table. If Tarantino's undisclosed involvement is to be taken as a withdrawal, the creative confidence behind the show will be shaken and a decrease in interest is inevitable.
It is very much up in the air whether or not the Quentin Tarantino effect will make something out of the Justified revival series. The universally praised series is a welcomed prospect for the legendary director to take creative control over. If the show goes ahead without him and Tarantino chooses to instead make his 10th film and fully retire, the show would certainly be worse off, with lower interest and increased risk. Tarantino not only draws a crowd but his levels of passion and talent would be of great benefit and perhaps justify the revival for that alone.