The return of "Twin Peaks" may be dead on arrival.
Co-creator David Lynch announced on Sunday night that he has left the Showtime reboot of his '90s cult series. The network announced in October that it would bring back the short-lived series for a third season starting in 2016.
In a series of tweets, Lynch explained his reasoning for leaving the project and that his exit did not mean the project was cancelled. The director also said he had reached out to cast members about his decision.
Dear Twitter Friends, Showtime did not pull the plug on Twin Peaks.
— David Lynch (@DAVID_LYNCH) April 5, 2015
After 1 year and 4 months of negotiations, I left because not enough money was offered to do the script the way I felt it needed to be done. — David Lynch (@DAVID_LYNCH) April 5, 2015
This weekend I started to call actors to let them know I would not be directing. Twin Peaks may still be very much alive at Showtime.
— David Lynch (@DAVID_LYNCH) April 5, 2015
I love the world of Twin Peaks and wish things could have worked out differently. — David Lynch (@DAVID_LYNCH) April 5, 2015
Showtime has not given up on its negotiations with Lynch and released a statement (via Deadline) expressing its willingness to bring back the show with both Lynch and his co-creator Mark Frost.
"We were saddened to read David Lynch's statement today since we believed we were working towards solutions with David and his reps on the few remaining deal points," the statement read. "SHOWTIME also loves the world of Twin Peaks and we continue to hold out hope that we can bring it back in all its glory with both of its extraordinary creators, David Lynch and Mark Frost, at its helm."
Showtime ordered a nine-episode reboot of "Twin Peaks" that Lynch would direct and write the scripts with Frost. Kyle MacLachlan, who played Agent Dale Cooper, officially signed on to reprise his role in January.
The original series ran for two seasons on ABC from 1990 to 1991. The finale episode ended on a cliffhanger with a demonic rapist possessing Agent Cooper. Lynch directed a "Twin Peaks" movie a year later but the events of the film took place before the events of the TV series.
