In the wake of the recent mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, the TV remake of Heathers has been put off from its initial March 7 release date.
The original 1988 movie starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater respectively as Veronica and J.D., two high school students who kill multiple classmates.
‘While we stand firmly behind the show, in light of the recent tragic events in Florida and out of respect for the victims, their families and loved ones, we feel the right thing to do is delay the premiere until later this year,’ said Paramount Network in a statement, according to Deadline.
Deferred: In the wake of the recent mass shooting at a high school in Parkland, Florida, the TV remake of Heathers has been put off from its initial March 7 release date
The statement had earlier explained: ‘Paramount Network’s original series Heathers is a satirical comedy that takes creative risks in dealing with many of society’s most challenging subjects ranging from personal identity to race and socio-economic status to gun violence.’
February 14’s shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland left a death toll of 17, and survivors have led a subsequent outcry in favor of gun control.
In the film version of Heathers, Veronica and J.D. make their victim’s deaths look like suicides, after which two other students genuinely try to take their own lives.
Premise: The original 1988 movie starred Winona Ryder and Christian Slater respectively as Veronica and J.D., two high school students who kill multiple classmates
SPOILER ALERT: Two of their victims are killed with guns, and the climax involves an attempt to commit mass murder in the school with a bomb
Two of the homicide victims are killed with guns, and the climax involves an attempt to commit mass murder in the school with a bomb.
Along with Ryder and Slater, the original film Heathers also starred Shannen Doherty, who has a recurring part in the new version.
In the 1988 version, Doherty played one of the Heathers – the film’s titular popular clique – but in the new one she plays J.D.’s mother.
Return: Along with Ryder and Slater, the original film Heathers also starred Shannen Doherty, who has a recurring part in the new version (pictured)
The TV remake will be an anthology series and was created by Jason Micallief, boasting a cast including Grace Victoria Cox and Selma Blair.
Its premiere was released on iTunes last Tuesday.
Before being rebooted for television, the movie was also adapted into a stage musical that ran off-Broadway for a little over four months in 2014.
Incoming: The TV remake will be an anthology series and has been created by Jason Micallief, boasting a cast including Grace Victoria Cox (pictured) and Selma Blair