Speaking to the Radio Times, Wilman confirmed rumors of a clause in his and Clarkson’s contracts that prevented a show on another terrestrial broadcaster. That prompted BBC to drop him from “Top Gear“.
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But, in all the ways that matter, it will be “Top Gear” – and maybe better (even though the show will apparently have to do without it’s “tame racing driver”, The Stig).
Clarkson will reunite with his two Top Gear co-stars, James May and Richard Hammond, for the as-yet unnamed show, which is due to begin filming “shortly” and will be broadcast next year, US retail giant Amazon said. The show will be produced by the trio’s longtime executive producer Andy Wilman.
The former Top Gear stars are expected to start production in the Autumn.
“It is just like I’ve incline from a bi-plane and right into a spaceship”, he explained of his new position, and with an clear probe at his recent… Ironic, isn’t it?” Hammond joked: “Amazon? Coupled with the considerable financial backing of Jeff Bezos’s company, the project puts great pressure on the BBC and Evans, who has already described the role as “the most challenging thing I have ever done in my career”. But I can’t tell you how good it feels to get the chance to produce something from scratch. I got bitten by a bullent ant” while May follwed up with “We have become part of the new age of smart TV. We can’t wait to see what Jeremy, Richard, James and the team will create in what is sure to be one of the most globally anticipated show of 2016.
The new show could strengthen Amazon’s hand in the increasingly competitive market.
The move is a major step into TV by Amazon who previously resurrected Ripper Street after it was axed by the BBC.
From 2016, the former Top Gear trio will join a roster of television talent on Amazon’s Prime Video line-up, where producer Ridley Scott and actor Gael Garcia Bernal are among those already plying their trade.
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Amazon boss Jay Marine said: “Customers told us they wanted to see the team back on screen and we are excited to make that happen”.
