The reboot, which was announced almost six months ago, is currently in development at ABC with no filming location announced as of yet. Sources report that Braff’s news comes after months of internal negotiations and the star’s request for the filming to take place in LA as opposed to Vancouver, which was originally planned. Reportedly, an escalation of the clash could have led to the project being scrapped, though both parties eventually came to an agreement.
In the past, Braff has shared that he’s optimistic about the project’s prospects. “I’m going to tell you something that nobody else is going to get. Scrubs is a Disney show. Bill [Lawrence] has a Warner Bros deal. Once those two companies figure that out, I think the people will get what they want. I think it’s going to happen,” he told Entertainment Tonight.
He also expressed interest in returning to the series, adding that he’s still close to his former co-stars. “It would be so much fun [with] all my favourite people. We all still hang out. A lot of people who were on long shows say that, but it’s true,” he said.
Although no other deals have been locked yet, 20th TV — the television studio arm of 20th Century Studios — is expected to reach out to original cast members Sarah Chalke (Elliot Reid), Donald Faison (Christopher Turk), John C McGinley (Perry Cox), and Judy Reyes (Carla Espinosa) soon enough. All have said that they would be happy to return.
With original series creator Bill Lawrence also onboard under an exclusive overall deal, the reboot is off to a promising start. However, Lawrence won’t be writing or running the show as he has much on his plate — Shrinking, Ted Lasso, Bad Monkey, and the upcoming Steve Carell comedy series.
Speaking to Deadline in October last year, he revealed that the series was very close to “being figured out”. Sharing his insights on the process, he added that he wanted to approach the reboot with a combination in mind.
Lawrence wants to show new viewers “what the world of medicine was like for the people they love” and how it’s viewed by “idealistic” young people who pursue the field because they consider it a calling.