That ’70s Show reboot in the works

Nearly all cast members will be returning for a revival of the hit sitcom That ’70s Show, this time set in 1995. They’re skipping the 80s (more on that later) and going for That ’90s Show with a 10-episode first season on Netflix.

Topher Grace, Mila Kunis, Ashton Kutcher, Laura Prepon and Wilmer Valderrama will return with Eric Forean’s parents, Kurtwood Smith and Debra Jo Rupp. Thankfully Danny Masterson, who has been ordered to stand trial on three counts of rape, will not be involved. (Although… they should have brought in his hotter brother, Christopher (from Malcolm in the Middle).

That ’90s Show was picked up for a full series order, but it wasn’t clear how many of the original cast would be on board. The show will have the original cast members appear as guests throughout the series focusing the storyline instead on Leia Forman, Donna and Eric’s daughter, as she visits her grandparents one summer, and forms bonds with a new generation of Point Place, WI kids.

The summer holiday setting will probably help the original characters drop in and out through the season, returning home to see family. Maybe there will be a high school reunion, or get together. It’s even possible Eric and Donna will drop Leia off with the grandparents and head back to wherever they’re living now. Kurtwood and Rupp are likely to be series regulars with bigger roles (and they’re also both producing the show).

Callie Haverda will play Leia, along with the new crew of townies, Ashley Aufderheide, Mace Coronel, Maxwell Acee Donovan, Reyn Doi and Sam Morelos.

Previously the creators tried to do the first spin-off, That ’80s Show, which only lasted one season. While funny, the cast were older and the nostalgia often too over the top. That ’70s Show was alway pure nostalgia, but managed not to make it awkward.

That ’70s Show premiered in 1998 and ran for 8 seasons, clocking up 200 episodes. There were many memorable guest stars throughout the series, including Bruce Willis (when Ashton was seeing Demi), and for one episode Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Levitt played Buddy, a classmate with great hair, an awesome car, and the hots for Eric. He was meant to stay for several episodes, but apparently audiences couldn’t relate to the gay storyline.