Quantum Leap star Scott Bakula has revealed there are "significant conversations" taking place with regards to a possible reboot of the '90s sci-fi series.
As reported by Deadline, Bakula recently appeared as a guest on Bob Saget's Here For You podcast to tell stories and share insights into his decades-long career in the entertainment industry, including the time he body-hopped into the role of Dr. Sam Beckett, a time-travelling quantum physicist who leaps into other peoples lives to "put right what once went wrong."
During the discussion, Bakula confirmed that talks had been happening around a possible reboot of the series, which originally ran on NBC for five seasons, between 1989 and 1993. He didn't divulge the details of any such conversations, however, he indicated that those involved were in the very early stages of working out whether there's a way to bring the show back.
"There are very significant conversations about it right now going on," Bakula told Saget of a potential Quantum Leap reboot, though he admitted there may be some challenges. "I don't know what it would be. I don't know who would have it. The rights were a mess for years. I don't know if they're even sorted out now. That's always been the biggest complication."
Bakula also revealed that he had spoken to series creator Donald P. Bellisario periodically over the years about a potential comeback of the show. He said he had encouraged him to move forward with an idea despite jokingly noting that Dean Stockwell, who played his wise-cracking hologram sidekick Admiral Al Calavicci, "costs too much money" these days.
"[Bellisario] would always say, 'I can't write it without thinking of you and Dean [Stockwell].' I said, 'Just think about me and Dean and write your show. Get it out there. If you have an idea, just write it. I am sure it will be great,'" Bakula recalled of some of the past conversations he had had with Bellisario, admitting that he didn't know "what that idea would be if we did."
Several shows and sitcoms have received reboots, revivals, and spin-offs in recent years, albeit with mixed results. It seems that for every terrific and twisted Twin Peaks-level continuation, there's a disappointing Heroes Reborn. The minds behind these projects continue to test the water with audience reaction to see what works and what doesn't.
Plus, many series are continuing to get a second life, with Dexter Morgan set to make his return on Showtime, a Frasier revival with Kelsey Grammer greenlit at Paramount Plus, and a Fresh Prince of Bel-Air reboot featuring a new cast set for NBCUniversal's Peacock. Outside of these ones, there's a whole list of cancelled TV shows we'd love to see revived at some point.
Adele Ankers is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.