It seems that his Rome-set Those About to Die has given Roland Emmerich a taste for historical prestige TV drama, as THR has revealed that the Independence Day and 2012 director is getting ready to shop around a series remake of David Lean’s 1962 classic Lawrence of Arabia.
Titled Lawrence in Arabia, Emmerich has developed the project alongside writer Anthony McCarten (Bohemian Rhapsody) and the duo are planning a three-season run, which will expand upon the original film and focus on a larger cast of characters.
The Oscar-winning Lawrence of Arabia is a biographical adventure based upon the life of the British Army officer and diplomat T.E. Lawrence, portrayed by Peter O’Toole who starred in the film alongside an ensemble that included Alec Guinness, Anthony Quinn, Omar Sharif, Jack Hawkins, Claude Rains and Anthony Quayle.
As well as pitching Lawrence in Arabia, Emmerich also confirmed to THR that he is planning a second season of Those About to Die, and is hoping “to do a little bit what Godfather II did” with a dual timeline including flashbacks exploring The Year of the Four Emperors, which culminating with Anthony Hopkins’ Vespasian seizing control of Rome.
