Top 10 Things You Need To Know About HBOs Westworld

“The hell? That’s not supposed to happen!” Welcome to WatchMojo.com and today we’ll be counting down our picks for the Top 10 Things You Need to Know About HBO’s Westworld.

For this list, we’re taking a look at fun facts about HBO’s highly anticipated sci-fi western series, which debuts on October 2nd.

If “Westworld” sounds familiar, that’s probably because it’s based on a 1973 movie of the same name. This cult classic was written and directed by Michael Crichton, who also wrote the novel that was adapted into a little movie called “Jurassic Park”. Aside from being a critical and financial success, “Westworld” was ahead of its time in many respects. Not only was it one of the earliest movies to discuss things like computer viruses, but it is credited as the first Hollywood film to use CGI. Years after the original film’s release, Crichton was given the opportunity to script a remake, but he ultimately declined before passing away in 2008.

Producer team J.J. Abrams and Bryan Burk have worked together on some of the biggest movies and TV shows of the past couple decades. On the small screen, their credits include binge-worthy hits like “Alias,” and “Lost”. On the big screen they’ve produced the “Star Trek” reboot, the most recent “Mission: Impossible” movies, and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”. So naturally, we expect amazing things whenever Abrams and Burk are attached to a project. Here’s hoping “Westworld” is yet another addition to their impressive winning streak.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that “Westworld” derived from the same mind behind “Jurassic Park.” Both projects revolve around a theme park. Instead of dinosaurs, however, “Westworld” is populated by androids that resemble people from the old west. On the surface, this world might seem like a paradise where nothing can possibly go wrong. Of course matters take an unexpected turn when the robots develop consciousness and start rebelling. Co-creator Jonathan Nolan describes the series as "the next chapter of the human story, in which we stop being the protagonists, and our creations start taking over that role.” So it’s safe to say “Westworld” will encompass themes regarding the future, playing god, and artificial intelligence vs. human intelligence.

Pretty much every HBO drama is full of grim, disturbing moments. Even by HBO standards, though, “Westworld” is expected to take audiences to some unbelievably eerie places, both visually and psychologically. According to the network, the series will be “a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the future of sin.” The trailers for “Westworld” send out genuinely haunting, unsettling vibes, calling “2001: A Space Odyssey” and “Ex Machina” to mind. In addition to being a sci-fi series, “Westworld” looks like it could just as easily be a horror story, demonstrating everything horrifying about humankind’s evolution. In short, this one isn’t going to be for the faint of heart.

Jonathan Nolan is best known for his collaborations with his big brother Christopher Nolan, co-writing “The Dark Knight,” and “Interstellar.” He also wrote the short story that would inspire “Memento,” resulting in his first Oscar-nomination. Nolan developed “Westworld” along with his wife, Lisa Joy, who previously worked on shows like “Pushing Daisies” and “Burn Notice.” Aside from being showrunners for “Westworld,” this husband and wife duo will serve as executive producers and writers as well. Nolan additionally directed the pilot episode, which is entitled, “The Original.” Given their laundry list of accomplishments, we’re confident that these two have something truly unique in store for us.

In addition to bringing together some of our finest modern storytellers, “Westworld” has no shortage of talent in front of the camera. The all-star cast includes Ed Harris as a mysterious man in black, James Marsden as a hunky gunslinger, Thandie Newton as a western beauty, Jeffrey Wright as an AI creator, and Evan Rachel Wood as a girl who unlocks the secrets of Westworld. We’re especially excited to see Oscar-winner Anthony Hopkins in his first regular TV role as Westworld’s creative director. His character is somewhat reminiscent of Richard Attenborough’s John Hammond from “Jurassic Park.” Speaking of Attenborough, he actually starred in the original “Westworld” and cast Hopkins in five of his directorial effort. Small world, huh?

Back in the 90s, J.J. Abrams met with Michael Crichton about adapting his 1973 film. Now over two decades later, Abrams is finally crossing “Westworld” off his bucket list. In between this timeframe, Warner Bros. actually expressed interest in producing a feature film remake of “Westworld.” In 2007, rumors started circulating that Arnold Schwarzenegger might star in the remake. Director Quentin Tarantino was also considered to helm the project, but he turned the offer down. When studio executive Jessica Goodman left Warner Bros. in 2011, the remake was put back on the table. After the film failed to get off the ground, however, HBO ordered a “Westworld” pilot in 2013.

Ever since “Westworld” was given the green light, production has gone through various delays. Rather than rushing into anything, the show’s creative team wanted to take their time developing a grand plan. As of now, the creators have at least five seasons and even a series finale mapped out. Seeing how “Westworld” is such an ambitious and complex project, it makes sense that the creators want to go in with a long-term strategy. Of course not every TV series gets to see its master plan to the end. So let’s hope “Westworld” doesn’t suffer the same fate as “Rome,” which also had five seasons planned, but got cancelled after only two.

In the same vein as Sansa Stark’s rape in “Game of Thrones,” the violence against women in “Westworld” has stirred up controversy at HBO. The pilot notably contains a scene where Ed Harris’ villain sexually assaults Evan Rachel Wood’s character off-screen. On top of that, extras were also asked to sign an explicit consent form, surrendering their right to walk away if they become uncomfortable with scenes that involve sex and nudity. Despite receiving some backlash, HBO has stood by the show’s depiction of rape. The question is if these graphic scenes will truly serve a purpose in guiding the narrative or if they’ll solely exist for shock value. We’ll just have to wait and see for ourselves.

HBO is known for spending big bucks in order to produce the most epic shows possible and “Westworld” is no exception. According the various reports, the first season cost at least $54 million. As you can imagine, “Westworld” needs to be a big hit to recuperate its massive budget, as well as marketing expenses. Granted, HBO has taken gambles in the past that haven’t always paid off. For example, the first season of “Vinyl” reportedly cost $100 million, but the show didn’t attract enough viewers to justify a second season. If “Westworld” ends up being the next “Game of Thrones,” however, it will certainly be a worthwhile investment for HBO.

Do you agree with our list? What’s your favorite fun fact about “Westworld?” For more entertaining Top 10s published every day, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.