Amazon MGM Studios is continuing its trend of getting into live-action programming based on ’80s cartoons and toys. After Masters of the Universe and the upcoming Voltron, they are now developing a series based on the hit animated series and toyline, Jem. The news comes to us via Deadline. This series is being made in conjunction with Hasbro, and they describe it as an “elevated live-action take” on the classic cartoon. Surprisingly, Westworld producers Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy are producing. The show is titled Jem and the Holograms, whereas the original show was simply called Jem.
The original Jem property was Hasbro’s way of making a dent in Barbie’s reign in the fashion doll market. As was customary in the ’80s, they partnered with an animation studio to produce a series to sell the brand. The show centered on a music industry executive named Jerrica, who used hologram technology to create a light-projected new identity for herself as the rock star Jem. Together with her “truly outrageous” band, the Holograms, she navigated romance and adventure. All while making music videos and topping the charts. In her way were rival “bad girl” rockers the Misfits, who insisted in the theme song that their songs were better. (They were better.)
The original Jem cartoon ran for three seasons, starting in 1985, bringing the MTV aesthetic to kids. The dolls sold well, but Barbie still reigned supreme. Fun fact: When Mattel learned Hasbro was creating Jem, they pushed their own Barbie and the Rockers brand out in stores first. A shady move worthy of the Misfits. A Jem movie, directed by Wicked‘s Jon M. Chu, came out in 2015, but it left out much of what fans loved about the show. It subsequently tanked at the box office. But maybe Jem and the Holograms will fare better. The audience for these ’80s cartoon IPs is now between the ages of 45 and 55. And they prefer to watch streaming fare rather than go to the movies. We have a feeling Jem will do better on Prime Video than in theaters this time around.