A&E's "Bates Motel" Discussion (2013-2017)

[Walts Ghost]

Vera Farmiga To Star In A&E’s ‘Psycho’ Prequel Series ‘Bates Motel’ As Norma Bates

In her return to television, Vera Farmiga is set for the plum female lead in A&E’s upcoming series Bates Motel, which serves as a prequel to Alfred Hitchcock horror classic Psycho and examines the twisted relationship between serial killer-to-be Norman Bates and his mother Norma. Farmiga will play Norma Louise Bates who is described as passionate, and compelling, a smart, multidimensional character who is always capable of surprising us. The Universal TV-produced Bates Motel has a 10-episode straight-to-series order for a 2013 premiere. Former Lost co-showrunner Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin (Parenthood) serve as writers-executive producers. “We are delighted to welcome Vera Farmiga to Bates Motel,” Cuse said. “She is a phenomenal talent who has demonstrated incredible range and intelligence in a number of landmark film roles, and we couldn’t be more excited to have her join our project.”

Bates Motel had been developed as a miniseries when A&E bought it in January. When Cuse and Ehrin boarded the project two months later, they reworked it as a series and wrote several scripts. That prompted A&E’s July decision to forgo a pilot and go straight to series. Farmiga co-starred on several series, including NBC’s UC: Undercover and USA’s Touching Evil, and in the HBO telefilm Iron Jawed Angels before breaking out in features. She was nominated for an Oscar for Up In The Air and also starred in the Oscar-winning The Departed.

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[Blu Ian]

Good for her.

[Forever Knight]

Seeing this thread just put me in the mood to pop the blu-ray in.

[Britnasty]

Vera's involvement alone means I will watch.

[Arvin Clone]

I wasn't sure about this until I seen Cuse's name on it. Now I'm in!

[Walts Ghost]

Exclusive: 10 Things We Know About the Psycho Prequel TV Pilot Bates Motel

A&E and Universal are at work to bring Norman Bates back to the screen, albeit on the small screen. The former has ordered up a 10-episode run of Bates Motel, a new series that explores Norman Bates' life before Psycho.

This isn't the first time TV has taken a crack at Bates' legacy. There was a television pilot from '87, starring Bud Cort, Lori Petty and Kurt Paul as Norman Bates, which was nixed rather fast. And in 2007, Vertigo Entertainment Roy Lee and Doug Davison paired up with Lionsgate and Universal to bring Bates Motel to life.

Years later, showrunners Carlton Cuse (Lost) and Kerry Ehrin (Friday Night Lights) picked up the project and are now finally making it happen. Recently, it was revealed Vera Farmiga was cast as Norma Bates, Norman's mother. While we await word as to who is playing Norman himself, let us share with you what we have learned about the pilot episode based on a May 2012 draft of the script penned by Ehrin.

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[MykeHavoc]

Well...

I was excited, too. But that all sounds...lousy. If the pilot doesn't hook me, I won't bother sticking with it.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by MykeHavoc

Well...

I was excited, too. But that all sounds...lousy. If the pilot doesn't hook me, I won't bother sticking with it.

I'm there with ya, havoc...I'm really not feeling what I'm reading here. In fact, most of it sounds dreadful...we'll wait and see, but I'm very cautious about it right now.

[stvn1974]

I wonder how this series will end? Please don't spoil it for me.

[HDMe]

My gut says... you either have to like all of this OR you have to be in the camp that says Psycho is fine the way it is and shouldn't be messed with...

Usually I'm in the "don't screw with perfection" camp and see no need to prequel or sequel such movies that are classics.

But if this is a re-imagining of sorts... then I'll open my mind to it being different and see... though of course I might not like it on its own merits, I won't judge it based on the original.

[Wally Q]

Vera will make a beautiful corpse.

[MykeHavoc]

Originally Posted by HDMe

My gut says... you either have to like all of this OR you have to be in the camp that says Psycho is fine the way it is and shouldn't be messed with...

Usually I'm in the "don't screw with perfection" camp and see no need to prequel or sequel such movies that are classics.

But if this is a re-imagining of sorts... then I'll open my mind to it being different and see... though of course I might not like it on its own merits, I won't judge it based on the original.

I'm in the camp that as long as a continuation is good on its own merit yet is respectful to its source, then I'm content. I love all of the sequels. The remake was pretty pointless...not to mention that original "Bates Motel" pilot from the late 80's. That shit was painful. And sadly, when I was reading the description for this updating, I got horrifying flashbacks to that turd

But I'm still mildly optimistic. Hopefully that means it will be easier to win me over. As a horror nut, my instinct is to try to always be supportive, especially when they milk franchises I love. I mean I'm down right pumped for Hannibal...and I'm even going to give that Clarice show a try

[Foggy]

Originally Posted by Walts Ghost

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After watching Psycho last night, this all sounds wrong, very, very wrong.

My thought process:

1) Okay, could work, definatly interesting.
2) Yeah, okay, I can see why he'd be included.
3) Wait, what? Did I miss the point when he was brought up in the film
4) Well, okay, I don't see why that's worth mentioning, but okay.
5) Well, erm, that's a bit daft.
6) Wait, no!
7) So what?!?
8) Oh, charming, way to be classy
9) Seriously
10) Well you'd be wasting your goddamn time if you didn't.

[Wally Q]

I wish Universal would shrivel up and die. Most creatively bankrupt studio operating in Hollywood today. Or fire their executives...

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by Wally Q

I wish Universal would shrivel up and die. Most creatively bankrupt studio operating in Hollywood today. Or fire their executives...

Is universal making it? I would assume they are, but I only saw A&E attached to it. That said, I wouldn't say they're the most bankrupted, but close. But I think the same could be said about a good portion of Hollywood. As long as whatever they're doing is done well, remake or not, I'll be happy.

[BluPat]

I hope it's good. I love the 'Psycho' films and the house and motel sets. But, it has been said that this is being filmed in Canada. Is that the pilot? Because the sets are obviously at Universal in California.

[Walts Ghost]

Bates Motel Casts Its Norman

After an exhaustive search for a young man to take over the iconic role immortalized by Anthony Perkins in Alfred Hitchcock's 1960 masterpiece Psycho, A&E's new prequel series, Bates Motel, has cast its Norman Bates.

The part has gone to 20-year-old English lad Freddie Highmore, who first gained notoriety opposite Johnny Depp in 2004's Finding Neverland. Depp and Highmore re-teamed a year later on Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, with Highmore playing lucky Golden Ticket winner Charlie Bucket.

Earlier this year, Bates Motel executive producer Carlton Cuse told me that his Norman might not be what fans expect. Cuse isn't looking for someone to imitate Perkins, as this series will offer an original, multi-layered take on Hitchcock's classic. Vera Farmiga (Up in the Air) will play Norman's mother, Norma Louise Bates, who Cuse described to me as "very hot." (Certainly hotter than the skeleton who played the part in Psycho!)

The series is expected to begin production by early October for a 2013 premiere.

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[Forever Knight]

This might be the best looking show since The Walking Dead.

[critterdvd]

Not bad casting at all. Actually made me more interested in checking this out when it comes to TV.

[Wally Q]

The only thing holding this back is the weird plot points and the modern setting. I like the casting for this but I'm still hesitant. I forgot Highmore was moving up in age because of how youthful he looks.