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Ever since the hit James Cameron film TRUE LIES came out in 1994, there’s been off-and-on talk about a possible sequel, mostly from co-star Tom Arnold. Now it looks like the story may find an incarnation on television, specifically with ABC. Deadline is reporting Cameron’s production company Lightstorm Entertainment is developing a series based on the film, and Cameron will be executive producing. ABC has picked it up already, bringing themselves back into the “spy” show theme, along with their currently-in-development CHARLIE’S ANGELS reboot. Rene Echevarria (of James Cameron’s DARK ANGEL fame) will be writing and heading up the show. 20th Century Fox is producing the project.
If your memory has failed you, to shortly recap the film, Arnold Schwarzenegger starred as Harry Tasker – a computer salesman and family man living a double life as a spy. His wife Helen (played in the film by Jamie Lee Curtis) becomes bored with her day to day chores, never realizing Harry’s secret exploits. In an effort to spice things up, Harry tries to inject some of his spy games into Helen’s life, only with disastrous results. They both wind up hostages in a terrorist plot, and find themselves working together to survive, which of course means Mrs. Tasker finds out everything there is to know about her husband very fast. The end result sees them becoming a husband and wife spy team.
At this time it is unknown whether any of the original cast would return, though chances are doubtful. Arnold Schwarzenegger has all but retired from acting, spending all of his time as Governor of California. His recent cameo in THE EXPENDABLES was the first big screen appearance by the actor in several years. Jamie Lee Curtis has certainly aged (gracefully mind you), and doesn’t seem to be pursuing roles like these anymore. Tom Arnold could potentially reprise his role as Harry’s talkative spy buddy Albert Gibson. There’s also a chance we could see a cameo from Bill Paxton as a wannabe spy Simon. But if I was a betting man, I’d say we can expect an all-new cast, and the writers will probably try to make the storyline a little more current. Let’s face it, a lot has changed politically and technically since 1994. I also find it interesting that this news comes so close to the premiere of J.J. Abrams new series UNDERCOVERS, which is extremely similar to the TRUE LIES script. Then again, with Arnold leaving his office position soon, and Jamie Lee Curtis only doing occasional movie roles, I guess it’s not impossible that these two could take on a TV series… just not likely. Would you be up for a show like this? Tell us in the comments below!
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
