Joss Whedon, Eliza Dushku to do “Dollhouse”

Good news for fans of Joss Whedon. He’s back.

For those that don’t know him, Joss Whedon was the creative genius behind shows like the hugely popular Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel and the sci-fi/western-ish Firefly. He also was the person behind the movie Serenity, the sequel to Firefly.

This time around, he’s doing ANOTHER series for FOX, which just baffles me, but makes me excited nonetheless. The shock that FOX would want to do something with him again, and that he’d agree makes me laugh.

This is a quote from an article in Variety about the FOX being interested in working with Whedon again:

“Fox Entertainment chairman Peter Liguori had been pursuing Whedon about making a return to TV for some time, and said he couldn’t believe his luck when [Eliza] Dushku brought him in the door.”

I wonder why they are pursuing him, unless it’s just to order episodes and then cancel a perfectly good show from under him again, thus breaking his heart a second time.

I have been fans of two shows that were canceled early: Sports Night and Firely. Firefly was so great that they canceled it after nine episodes, only to resurrect it as a movie years later. It had such a huge fan base and anyone I know who’s seen those episodes loved it. Yet it was never really given a chance. It sucks when networks give up on shows so fast.

Regardless, if Whedon doesn’t care, then I guess I should get over it. Afterall, it’s Joss Whedon and I think I’d like anything he does. He actually directed an episode of The Office last year and might do it again.

Besides, this new show sounds great. It started from a simple idea Whedon had when chatting with Eliza Dushku, from both Angel and Buffy. She jumped at the idea and wont just act on the show, she’ll also produce it.

The plot of Dollhouse, from Variety, goes like this:

“‘Dollhouse” follows a top-secret world of people programmed with different personalities, abilities and memories depending on their mission.

After each assignment — which can be physical, romantic or even illegal — the characters have their memories wiped clean, and are sent back to a lab (dubbed the “Dollhouse”). Show centers on Dushku’s character, Echo, as she slowly begins to develop some self-awareness, which impacts her missions.”

Hmm…I’m intrigued. I can also see a Dark Angel-like story going on here, with an actress in Dushku who will likely be head and shoulders over Jessica Alba in terms of acting chops. She does seem to have the look for a show like this.

Amazingly, as I’m writing this and also reading the full Variety article, Dushku also referenced Dark Angel:

“I even love my character’s name, Echo. And I’m starting my training, so I can get into that ‘Dark Angel‘-on-crack shape where I can do everything.”

Well I love these little sci-fi-ish shows, like Firefly, Dark Angel, etc. This should be a treat once it’s done.

FOX has ordered seven episodes which will run in Fall of 2008. It’s a long way off, but I’m excited. I’m hoping for a fun Friday night timeslot, much like Firefly, the X-Files and Battlestar Galactica (at first).