It’s been more than five months since David Lynch and Showtime announced their plan to make good on Laura Palmer’s word and bring back Twin Peaks twenty-five years after the show’s final episode ended on a brutal cliffhanger. Celebratory cups of damn fine coffee were had, and everyone moved onto speculating about more fun details of the upcoming production, such as whether Kyle MacLachlan will return as Special Agent Dale Cooper (he will).
But as you know, nothing comes easy in the messed up, melodramatic world of David Lynch, and now comes the first hiccup (before production has even started) regarding what appears to be a contract debate between Lynch and the network. Various outlets picked up on a recent interview with the Blue Velvet director where he vaguely noted that he still wants to make the third season, but added, “I haven’t returned yet. We’re still working on the contract.”
Despite this, it’s reported that Showtime already has all the scripts to the nine promised episodes, so it’s unclear whether or not they even need Lynch to technically move forward with the project. Regardless, Showtime’s official response is naturally dismissive of the rumor mill, with a “source close to the project” saying via Entertainment Weekly, “Nothing is going on that’s any more than any preproduction process with David Lynch. Everything is moving forward and everybody is crazy thrilled and excited.”
Translation: “Nothing to see here, please disperse.”
More updates to come as they become available. Remember—the owls are not what they seem.
Originally published March 17, 12:21 p.m.
Updated: April 6, 12:00 p.m.: David Lynch has now formally announced that he has “left” the upcoming production of Twin Peaks.
In a note posted on Facebook, Lynch explains it as follows:
Showtime did not pull the plug on Twin Peaks. After 1 year and 4 months of negotiations, I left because not enough money was offered to do the script the way I felt it needed to be done. This weekend I started to call actors to let them know I would not be directing. Twin Peaks may still be very much alive at Showtime. I love the world of Twin Peaks and wish things could have worked out differently.
Showtime, on the other hand, is not giving up on the situation, and said in a statement:
We were saddened to read David Lynch’s statement today since we believed we were working towards solutions with David and his reps on the few remaining deal points. SHOWTIME also loves the world of Twin Peaks and we continue to hold out hope that we can bring it back in all its glory with both of its extraordinary creators, David Lynch and Mark Frost, at its helm.
For Lynch, what originally seemed like a bargaining bluff may still be just that, but he’s clearly not playing around—and doesn’t seem to have any qualms about using his fanbase as a tool for getting what he wants.
I, for one, want to get off David Lynch’s Wild Ride. Get it together, Showtime.
(via Entertainment Weekly)
