American Gladiators Reboot Launches on Amazon

Tony Duffy/Allsport

EXCLUSIVE: Prepare the Eliminator, American Gladiators comes back, once again.

Amazon has ordered a reboot of the classic competition series for its Prime Video service. The series is produced by MGM Alternative and Amazon MGM Studios for Prime Video in association with Flor-Jon Films, the production company of American Gladiators co-creator Johnny C. Ferraro, who executive produces.

American Gladiators is considered one of the first reality competition series. It pitted a group of amateur athletes against each other as well as the shows’ own gladiators through a range of challenges, including a difficult obstacle course.

The new series includes classic competitions such as Gauntlet, Hang Tough and, of course, The Eliminator.

This decision comes as the format has been rejuvenated on the other side of the Atlantic, where the British channel BBC has enjoyed success with a new generation of programs. Gladiators. This version became the biggest entertainment series launch in nearly a decade and was quickly renewed for a second season.

American Gladiators originally launched in syndication and aired weekly between 1989 and 1996. It was created by Johnny C. Ferraro and Dan Carr.

The show was rebooted by NBC in 2008 – during that year’s writers’ strike – with Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali as hosts. It ran for two seasons and was produced by MGM Television and Reveille.

Since then, there have been several attempts to return to the screens. American Ninja Warrior producer A. Smith & Co. was developing a new version of the format in 2014 that never aired.

Likewise, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg tried again in 2018, teaming up with MGM to bring it back for its 30th anniversary, to no joy.

Deadline revealed in 2021 that MGM had partnered with WWE to bring it back in 2021.

Last year, there was a wave of nostalgia, in documentary form, around the brand as ESPN and Netflix aired documentaries about the brand. The Disney-owned sports network aired 30 for 30: the documentary on the American gladiators, while Netflix launched Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorized American Gladiator Story.

Earlier this year, Ferraro signed with Range Sports to help bring him back to screens. At the time, the management company said it planned to leverage the brand across television, film, attractions, merchandising and live events.

Amazon itself has been trying to increase its non-scripted offerings on its Prime Video and Freevee services. It recently launched an American version of the British game show The 1% Clubhosted by Patton Oswalt, and created a reality competition The goathosted by Daniel Tosh.

Casting for the series is currently underway.

“Gladiators is an enduring physical challenge format that continues to engage families around the world,” said Lauren Anderson, head of brand and content innovation at Amazon MGM Studios. “We look forward to delighting our Prime Video customers around the world with both reimagined and nostalgic elements that celebrate the best of the original series.”

“Doing a casting search across the country is exciting for us and for the fans. Our goal is to find a true cross-section of America’s fittest and fiercest competitors. It’s the ultimate in sports entertainment,” said Barry Poznick, CEO of MGM Alternative, Evolution Media and Big Fish Entertainment.