First announced towards the end of 2020, Arnold Schwarzenegger will star in his first very first scripted television series that’s thought to be called Utap but also has been referred to as FUBAR. Here’s what we know so far about the series which has Schwarzenegger appear in his first major Netflix project and his first major TV project.
As reported by Deadline, the competition was heavy for the project, but ultimately Netflix won the bidding war. The news is incredibly exciting as Schwarzenegger has had very little experience in television and has never starred in a major role for a series. For over five decades the herculean Austrian has starred in dozens of movies, but his first steps into a major TV role will be on Netflix.
Schwarzenegger’s casting as the lead in the series continues his relationship with Skydance, having previously reprised his role as the T-800 in Terminator: Genisys and Terminator: Dark Fate.
8 episodes will make up the first season.
Who’s behind the project?
Skydance Television and Blackjack Films Inc. are the two major production companies behind the new series.
The acquirement of the Utap also continues the fruitful relationship between Netflix and Skydance. In 2020 the studio worked alongside Denver and Delilah Productions to produce The Old Guard, and with Bay Films on one of Netflix’s most expensive productions to date with 6 Underground. The studio has also produced Grace and Frankie and the sci-fi series Altered Carbon.
Nick Santora serves as the creator, executive producer, and writer on the series. He’s best known for his work on popular series such as Scorpion, Breakout Kings, Lie to Me, and Prison Break.
Santora, via his production company Blackjack Films, is also working on the biopic Dog Gone starring Rob Lowe.
Nick Santora – Picture: Getty Images
Bill Bost, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and Arnold Schwarzenegger are all listed as executive producers.
We’ve also learned that Phil Abraham is on board to direct episodes in the new series. The multi-Emmy nominated and winning director has been involved with projects such as Mad Men, The Sopranos, Breaking Bad, Sons of Anarchy, and The Walking Dead.
Phil Abraham – Picture: IMDb
What is the plot of Utap/Fubar?
The series is based on True Lies, the 1994 action/comedy movie that Arnold Schwarzenegger appeared in alongside Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold, Bill Paxton, Art Malik, and Tia Carrere. The series is described as a “global spy adventure”.
A father and daughter have both been working as CIA Operatives for years, but each kept their involvement in the CIA hidden from the other, resulting in their entire relationship being a gigantic lie. Upon learning of each other’s involvement in the CIA, the pair are forced to work together as partners, and against the backdrop of explosive action, and espionage, learn who each other really are.
Who are the cast members of Utap/Fubar?
Announced extremely early, we still only have Arnold Schwarzenegger and actress Monica Barbaro listed as the only two cast members. The roles are still currently unnamed, but the pair will portray a father and daughter dynamic.
Speaking at a The Arnold Sports Festival, Schwarzenegger said on the news he’d soon be jetting up to Vancouver and filming his first scripted series: “I’m always interested in doing different things,”
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Monica Barbaro
Monica Barbaro will also feature in the upcoming animated prequel Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas.
What is the production status of Utap?
Official Production Status: Pre-Production (Last Updated: 18/01/2022)
Thanks to ProductionWeekly we know that as of January 2022 the series is currently in pre-production. Pre-production is set to end at the beginning of May.
Filming will take place in Toronto, Canada. According to production listings seen by What’s on Netflix, it’s set to begin filming on May 2nd, 2022 and run through the summer. Filming dates are subject to change.
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