‘ Smokey and the Bandit’ may return

“Smokey and the Bandit” may be coming back.

UniversalContent Productions is reviving the concept, whichincludeda1977filmand a 1980 sequel starring Burt ReynoldsandSallyField. Both films were shot in Georgia.

The original movie was a hugesmash, generating$ 126.7 million indomesticboxoffice gross, the second most of any film in 1977 behind only “StarWars.” The sequel only pulled in $ 66 million butwas still one of the top 10 grossing films of 1980. There is no networkor streamingservice attached yet, and casting has not been established.

The producers include David Gordon Green, creator of “Pineapple Express” and HBO's “Eastbound and Down,” and actor Danny McBride. Seth MacFarlane of “Family Guy” fame will be involved as well.

According to the press release, “the new take is inspired by the genre of ' 70s and ' 80s drive- in double features and explores the crossroadswherehumblerealities meet those larger- than- life in a blast of tailpipe exhaust.”

Green said: “Growing up in the South, ‘ Smokey and the Bandit' as an iconic franchise for me. The legacy of these characters is a playground of swagger and sass that I'm excited to dig into.”

Archer renewed for season 12

FXX has renewedAtlantaproduced animated series “Archer” for a 12th season, slated to debut in 2021. It will air on FXX and FX on Hulu.

The eighth and final episode this season will air Oct. 28. The show debuted in 2009.

Sterling Archer, the lead character, returns to the spy worldthisseasonafterathreeyearcoma. AmongtheAtlanta voice actors include Amber Nash as Pam Poovey and Lucky Yates as Dr. Krieger. The series was created by AdamReed, whoco- founded Atlanta's Floyd County Productions, which produces the series.