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Mulan writer Rita Hsiao is to pen a movie version of popular '60s US sitcom I Dream Of Jeannie.
Producer Sid Ganis praised Hsian's ideas for the film, telling The Hollywood Reporter: "She has a terrific, bright, fresh approach to Jeannie's story, with a twist and turn along the way. She captured all of our imaginations in the telling of it."
A movie remake of I Dream Of Jeannie has been in development for several years, most recently with Bend It Like Beckham director Gurinder Chadha. However, Ganis insisted that he has no regrets about the length of time involved in getting the project made.
"This is such a beloved and iconic character that it has to be told the right way," he explained. "You have a loyalty to the character that has to exist, and sometimes it takes time to get there."
The sitcom first aired in 1965 and ran for 139 episodes until 1970. Barbara Eden played the titular female genie opposite Larry Hagman's astronaut, who she eventually falls in love with and marries.
