When HBO’s Deadwood was abruptly cancelled, the show’s producers promised us not one, but two, Deadwood movies to make up for the loss.  If you’ve been holding your breath thus far, waiting in anticipation, you might want to let it go.  Apparently, the chances of it actually happening aren’t that great.

Michael Lombardo, president of HBO, said “It’s doable, but frankly its daunting.”  From the difficulties of rounding up all the actors who have since moved on to new projects, to the fact that creator David Milch is exhausted from his work on John from Cincinnati, the excuses were flowing freely from Lombardo’s mouth.
Milch’s John from Cincinnati could help or hurt the fate of a Deadwood movie, depending on whether the show is picked up for a second season at HBO.  If picked up, Milch would be expected to start writing the sophomore season right away.  If cancelled, that would free up some of his time, possibly leaving a spot open for the development of a film.

When he was pressed for the odds on a Deadwood movie production, Richard Plepler, HBO co-President, put the odds at “50-50.”  In other words, it might happen, and it might not.  I’m betting that if a Deadwood movie does happen, it won’t be for awhile.  It’s more likely to go the way of the Sex in the City movie, which has seen years of delays.