Initially, Drew Goddard had no intentions of going back to television. However, an invitation from ABC sparked his interest in the French-Belgian series “Haut Potentiel Intellectuel (HPI)”. This intrigue led him to reimagine it as a network prime-time show titled “High Potential.

At that particular moment,” Goddard states, “I had no desire to return to network television. It wasn’t out of contempt, but rather because I understand the rigor and challenges it presents. However, when I came across the show, I felt it was exceptional and distinct. The concept of a single mom leading a police procedural seemed crucial for today, and above all, I found myself constantly pondering it.

Turns out, it was wise of him to trust his intuition. The comedy series “High Potential,” featuring Kaitlin Olson as a crime-solving single mom, has been a massive hit. This series, airing again on Tuesday for the second part of its debut season, ranked number one among adults aged 18-49 in multiplatform ratings this fall, making it the most popular entertainment show. Additionally, it was the most-streamed network program during the fall season.

The selection of “High Potential” by ABC is a significant success not only for ABC but also for Goddard Textiles, a production company established by Goddard and Sarah Esberg in 2019 under an overall deal with 20th Television. (Recently, Goddard and Esberg extended their three-year first look deal with 20th Television, which is part of Disney Television Studios.) Goddard was the writer for the pilot episode, but he recognized that the series wasn’t suitable for him to manage on a daily basis as a showrunner.

He remarked, “It simply wasn’t meant to be.” In reality, I must confess that I doubt I possess the endurance for the investigative aspects of this production – and ironically, I adore these elements. However, it calls for someone who is deeply immersed in that world and eager to portray it authentically. truthfully, if given free rein, I might have undermined the entire police system. It’s likely that a significant portion of our main cast would not survive such a production. I was well aware that this type of show demands individuals who are truly passionate about the investigative aspects of it.

Balancing the blend of humor and grittiness in the TV series “High Potential” was quite a challenge. During this development phase, the show went through a shift in leadership, with Rob Thomas leaving his role and Todd Harthan stepping in as the new showrunner.

Goddard remarks that as with all shows in their first season, they’re always demanding. It’s been enjoyable to witness the fruits of our crew and cast’s labor being recognized. I’ve discovered with productions like this, the tone is crucial. It usually takes a while for people to grasp the tone. So, I believe we’ve faced the usual challenges of a first-year show, along with the unique challenge that comes with the Drew Goddard approach – our tone can be absurdly funny and heart-wrenchingly sad simultaneously.

Goddard points out that “High Potential” serves as an excellent example of the type of series that he, Esberg, and newly-promoted VP Andrea Massaro are interested in pursuing.

He often finds himself guided by the thought, “Is this something that continually captures my attention?” and trusts it will take him to intriguing destinations, he explains. At their company, Sarah, Andrea, and he have a saying, “We don’t enjoy creating things per se, but rather we delight in crafting them.

Additionally, “High Potential” is joined on TV by the Hulu pilot titled “Phony,” a story revolving around a teenager named Sam Nivola who, after waking up from a car accident, finds his mother Connie Britton has been replaced by an imposter. This series was crafted and supervised by Nick Paley.

As a movie enthusiast, I find myself often grappling with words when trying to encapsulate my work in a single sentence. For instance, describing ‘The Cabin in the Woods’ in just one sentence is like trying to capture the essence of a complex puzzle within a tiny box. It might sound intriguing after you’ve seen it, but explaining its unique charm beforehand is quite a challenge.

Currently in production at Disney+ is “Holes,” which is based on the Louis Sachar novel (previously adapted into a 2003 film starring Shia LaBeouf). This project holds a special significance for Goddard: “My mother, a long-term educator, also functions as my book scout. She informs me about the books her students are reading. The very first title she mentioned to me was ‘Holes,’ when it initially came out many years ago.

Goddard’s name often comes up when discussions about a potential “Lost” revival arise, due to his work on the series during the 2000s. At present, there are no plans in motion, but he expresses that he never rules out possibilities. He deeply enjoyed working on that show and cherishes what they accomplished together.

Joss Whedon, known for his iconic TV shows from that period such as “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, “Angel”, “Alias” and “Lost”, has been asked about potential reboots. However, he prefers not to simply rehash past successes but rather create something fresh if there’s a unique opportunity within those show’s framework. As for specific plans, none are currently in place, but he leaves open the possibility that something might develop in the future.

Goddard’s name frequently arises as a potential candidate for spearheading significant reboots of popular intellectual properties, and he has previous involvement with some of the franchises he cherished during his childhood, such as “Daredevil.

He remarks that his professional path seemed to coincide with a trend in popular culture. Working there always felt like we were on the edge. Now, it’s exploded into something much bigger, bordering on excessive, but it’s still been thrilling to witness and contribute to. I adored ‘Daredevil’ as a child, so I had the opportunity to work on ‘Daredevil.’ I’ve always appreciated being involved with these popular franchises that you see me linked to. The kid inside me will never forget this, because it’s been an incredible aspect of my job.

Excitedly, I’m sharing that I’ll be involved in penning, directing, and producing the upcoming installment of “The Matrix” for Warner Bros. Neal Purvis, Grant Hill, and I will produce this project, with Lana Wachowski joining us as an executive producer, having co-written and co-directed the original franchise.

He mentions that he’s currently working on something, but doesn’t provide further details,” he shares. “There’s not much to share at the moment, as I’ve learned to keep my mouth closed about such matters because even minor aspects can be subject to change.

On the project front, Goddard Textiles recently completed work on “Project Hail Mary” for Amazon/MGM. This time around, Phil Lord and Chris Miller are at the helm, directing from a script by Goddard. In this production, Ryan Gosling and Sandra Hüller will be featured in what marks Goddard’s second adaptation of an Andy Weir novel (after “The Martian”).

If you enjoyed ‘The Martian,’ I think you’ll find ‘Hail Mary’ particularly appealing,” he notes. “Chris, Phil, and I have a long-standing friendship, and I’ve always admired their creativity. Plus, Ryan Gosling is undeniably one of the most talented actors of our era.

He mentions that the company’s aspiration is to create a space where artists can enjoy themselves and produce fulfilling work. He explains that some individuals require assistance with writing, directing, or producing, and he finds pleasure in providing all these aspects… In essence, everything they do is challenging, but the excitement of creating it and the faith that their creation could resonate with others is what keeps them going each day.

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2025-01-08 00:18