When Will There Be More “Grizzly Adams”?

Being the creator of Grizzly Adams, I am constantly asked, “Why don’t you do another Grizzly Adams movie?” Even my publisher won’t leave me alone. He insists the time is right for another Grizzly Adams book.  Well...finally...I have an answer to this question!

I recently had the honor of working with the Providence Forum in Philadelphia, PA.  The Master of Ceremonies intro included, “I watched Grizzly Adams when I was young, and loved it!” to which the crowd responded, “We want more!” What a humbling experience. I am so pleased everyone still remembers that great movie and television series.  I have indeed heard your cries, requests, even demands! It’s not that I’m deaf…it’s simply that I needed creative inspiration.

Well, good news...I have finally figured out how to do it, and I am hard at work on a the new book which, when completed, will quickly be made into a movie as well.  But, it wasn't easy to come up with a new direction, yet at the same time keep the characters we all know so well...and have come to love.

To begin with, the original story was a “period piece”, taking place in the 1840’s. Today, audiences identify with modern day situations and how to cope with them. So, my first difficulty was to come up with a contemporary story that dove-tailed… connected… to the old story, yet held all characters, including the bear, intact in this new, modern version.

Following is a description of what I have come up with.  Grab a cup of coffee, relax…and LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF IT!

Grizzly Adams® Begins (Working Title)

James Adams is a recently widowed father who loves his young daughter with all his heart.  A kind and gentle man, his greatest desire is to give her a stable, happy life and heal the still raw wounds left by losing her mother.  But when he is accused of a crime he did not commit, it will take more courage than he ever knew he had to prove his innocence, and in the process, save the lives of millions of innocent people.

The last thing computer programmer James Adams ever imagined he would do is to leave his only daughter in the safe-keeping of a relative and flee to the remote wilderness of the vast Navajo reservation in the Southwestern United States.  But with a number of unsolved murders indirectly linked to him, Adams quickly becomes the only suspect in a string of high-profile and disturbing cases.  With elements of Native American lore and strange animal sightings at every crime scene, the case smacks of something other-worldly, and Adams has no idea why all the signs seem to point to his involvement.  

The evidence is stacked against him so the high-tech terrorist-fighting technology he was working on will have to wait.  But it can’t wait for long.  With the potential to locate any criminal at any point on the globe, Adams is convinced his new invention—dubbed “Globe Tracker”—may well save the world from the threat of global terrorism.  At the suggestion of his employee, a man with a shady past but seemingly good intentions named Mad Jack, Adams realizes he must find a way to buy some time.  With the future of his beloved daughter and national security at stake, Adams becomes a fugitive as he willingly sacrifices his own good name, and possibly his future freedom, to try to save the lives of countless others.  

With a Lawman’s posse hot on his trail, Adams flees deep into the wilderness of the sacred and mysterious lands of the Navajo tribe.  In the middle of a torrential rainstorm, Adams fights to find his way to a mountain hide-out and crashes his truck along the way.  Injured and alone, Adams wonders if he can even survive the first night.  But then something happens that will change his fear to respect...and his respect to love.  Stay tuned for more…you didn't think I'd give it all away...did you?

I’m Chuck Sellier – and thanks for inspiring me to keep the spirit of Grizzly Adams alive.

35 Comments     Comments Email

Amy S., Portland IN , March 7, 2010 at 9:00 PM | Reply Hello, I too am saddened to hear Dan Haggerty will not be the star. I would have loved to see him play Grizzly Adams no matter how old he is. There has to be some script that would fit for him. Dan's way with animals was always so gentle and caring. I will always remember meeting Dan in Nashville when I was young. Watching Grizzly Adams when I was young gave me a deep appreciation for nature and wildlife. I knew I wanted a job working with wildlife and so when I went off to college, I got a degree in Conservation Law Enforcement. To me, Dan Haggerty will always be the one and only Grizzly Adams.

Marilyn, US , March 2, 2010 at 1:09 AM | Reply Lol. Dan was born in Nov. 1941, so is only 69, a year older than I am. (And I'm lookin' and feelin' pretty darn good!) It might be worthwhile to see what shape he's actually in. Some people hold their age and health very well (did anyone see the 80-year-old Salsa-dancing grandmother on Youtube?). You can easily work him into the storyline, but it's probably best to check with him, first.

Donna K, Calhan, CO , February 28, 2010 at 12:21 PM | Reply I also as a kid watched Grizzly Adams, today kids do not know how to enjoy these kind of shows. I want to thank you for a documentay I recently saw on God TV and just ordered "End Times: How Close Are We?" I have ordered it to show to a few friends who do not quite believe this as yet, what a truth teller this is. I cannot express enough how grateful I am for you and your vision of reaching people with the truth. I recommend this to every person believer or not. Charles E. Sellier - Creator of Grizzly Adams®, OR, United States , March 5, 2010 at 8:21 AM | Reply Hey Donna, Thanks for your kind words. I truly hope that the "End Times" show helps people become aware and prepare for what is ahead. Warmly, Chuck

Don, Barbourville, KY , February 27, 2010 at 10:46 PM | Reply Hello my friend, No, we've never met personally. But We've traveled in many journeys by way of GRIZZLY ADAMS. I, too, remember the wonderful program from my own youth. It couldn't have been anything other than what it was. However, I have to admit that I am somewhat stubborn when it comes to changing things. Especially when they're just so darned good! What I mean is, in my own mind, there could never be anyone to play the part of GRIZZLY other than Dan Haggerty, in this or any other GRIZZLY ADAMS movie. (can you see anyone ELSE as Andy if there were another Andy griffith Show?) I just simply can't imagine anyone else who'd fit because he just seemed to sell the part so well. As you can probably tell, I'm not a big fan of sequels, either. But, I also know that if you made the original great (and it was) then your next one shouldn't be disappointing. And coming from a little known writer like me, that may not sound like much. But from a Native American point of view -- the story of a man finding harmony with his surroundings(if not exactly all the answers)and finding peace there, its certainly the way to have things go. Will be watching for further news, friend. Respectfully,

Carol Garrett, Norfolk , February 25, 2010 at 4:40 PM | Reply Virginia, USA I loved & still love the woods & the Grizzly Adams adventures. We DO want more. I'm a grandma but lived in the woods of PA almost all my life & I miss the trees & nature to this day. I should have bought some property & stayed there, but had to come to the city because of money. Maybe someday but in the meantime, I would love to see more of Grizzly, the animals & nature. Do it!

antn, USA , February 25, 2010 at 3:25 PM | Reply Thanks for the update. The funny thing about comment pages, is that those who like your idea are less likely to respond than those who disagree with the new concept and feel the need to let their voice be heard. Thanks for stepping out in the creativity of our Creator and God bless your movement forward into the new!

Mamie K., Salt Lake City, Utah , February 23, 2010 at 1:15 AM | Reply I remember watching Grizzly Adams as a child. I had to watch it every week. It was only as an adult that I learned that my father-Tom Burt did some stunt work for Dan Haggerty in a few episodes. I don't know if you were familiar with any of the crew, but if so, I would love any information you had about him. He passed away last spring and so I did'nt get to hear much about it, but I have seen the scripts and some photos. Charles E. Sellier - Creator of Grizzly Adams®, OR, United States , February 24, 2010 at 9:14 AM | Reply Hi Mamie, I will have our old records and call sheets checked for you and get back on this one.I am told that we have your email address so I will get back to you privately via your email when I know something. Warmly, Chuck

Michelle C., Bruno, AR , February 19, 2010 at 9:58 PM | Reply I think that it is terrible that you are having a new grizzly adams that doesn't star Dan Haggerty. Seriously? because you think he is too old? Come on now. The fans not only loved the show, but most of all Dan, the one and only "Grizzly Adams". I thought the whole modern story was kinda weird, but if Dan stared in it, I would watch. You cant seriously think that Jeff Bridges would be better for the job. I really hope you re- think all this. Many of my friends agree, I am sure we are not alone! Charles E. Sellier - Creator of Grizzly Adams®, OR, United States , February 24, 2010 at 9:11 AM | Reply Hi Michelle, I understand your feelings about Dan. He was incredible with the animals, so relaxed, and it showed on film. BUT, we have to be practical here, the first Grizzly Adams show I did with Dan was 36 years ago. If Dan was 35 years old at that time, what age is he today? You do the math and see why this is just not practical. Warmly, Chuck

Julie M., ID , February 18, 2010 at 8:13 AM | Reply Just watched Friends for Life last night - great movie. Are you going to use the same bear in your new Grizzly Adams show? Charles E. Sellier - Creator of Grizzly Adams®, OR, United States , February 24, 2010 at 9:07 AM | Reply Hey Julie... Thanks for your comments on "Friends for Life". Actually, the New Grizzly Adams show will probably need five to seven adult grizzly bears as well as several cubs and teens. In the old show "Bozo" was the bear that played in close with the actors, she was an incredible, loving bear, We all miss her a lot. Other bears were used to run, chase, climb and growl. No one bear could do it all. Warmly, Chuck

Samantha, Omaha, Arkansas , February 4, 2010 at 9:01 PM | Reply I LOVE THE OLD GRIZZLY ADAMS PLEASE DONT CHANGE IT!!!!! People today are smart enough to understand the old concept...."if it aint don’t fix it!" I am a true fan and would watch it either way, but we are surrounded by modern life and most watch movies and TV to get away from it. Charles E. Sellier - Creator of Grizzly Adams®, United States , February 6, 2010 at 6:11 AM | Reply Hi Samantha... thanks for posting and thanks for being a fan.I will attempt in other replies to explain why the modern-day concept so keep watching this blog. Warmly, Chuck

Paul S., Salem, OR , February 4, 2010 at 10:46 AM | Reply Mr. Sellier Thanks for the seek peek of your new version of Grizzly Adams. Please accept my constructive feedback. I'm afraid I'm not too fond of this version that you've written. The older Grizzly Adams was a great period piece. You say, "Today, audiences identify with modern day situations and how to cope with them." Well I find that true is some respects. But in my opinion these days in television and movies there is SO much of this subject matter of terrorists and high-tech stuff. I honestly feel audiences are really ready to take a step back again to another familar place of wilderness paradise that Grizzly Adams so showed us back in the 70's. Here's an idea for you if I may. Dan Haggerty is still alive and well. How about a show having him still indearing up in the wilderness with the animals in his valley. But then he is distracted by a young loner fugitive that himself has escaped into the wild. This guy meets Grizzly Adams and at first they don't really like one another. This new guys is some city going guy that doesn't have much appreciation for the outdoors. Let alone the knowledge to really keep him alive. Until that is once Grizzly Adams befriends him and shows him the beauty of the outdoors and the spender and harmony there is out there with all the animals. The two become really close and then something happens to Grizzly Adams and he dies. This new guy wishes to continue the legacy that Grizzly Adams left behind and so he chooses to stay in the wilderness and protect the environment that he lives in from other people who don't respect the land as they should. And there you now have the "new" Grizzly Adams! ...and of course this new guy has GOT to have the beard. Forgive my lack of good story telling but I think you probably get it. Thank you for your time. And thank you for your creation of Grizzly Adams. It's been a wonderful thing that I've grown up watching and love. You take care. Paul Michelle C., bruno, AR , February 19, 2010 at 10:06 PM | Reply As long as has Dan Haggerty as the star, no one else should play the role. Dan is fully capable of pulling it off and making it just as good as the original. I do not think that Jeff Bridges or any other actor should play the part. Dan deserves the role, he has many loyal fans that love him and don't want to see anyone take his place. Michelle C., Bruno, Arkansas , February 23, 2010 at 6:11 PM | Reply One more thing to say about Dan. If you feel Dan is too old, I am sure you have heard of stuntmen. Use some of that modern thinking to bring back to life a timeless character. Please bring Dan back. He has endless fans. Lets try to have something wholesome that our kids can watch again!! Charles E. Sellier - Creator of Grizzly Adams®, United States , February 6, 2010 at 6:15 AM | Reply Hey Paul, I can see that you have really thought this through. Thanks for the post. Here is the situation. In order to get a show on television you have to get the go-ahead from a TV network. All of the networks have told me that they will not air a "period" show, that is one like from the 1840's. They feel that audiences only want current day stories and they prove it by showing me the bad ratings that period shows get. SOOO, that is the reason I have attempted to put the new Grizzly Adams in a modern day setting. You and I must be the only ones that still like period shows? Warmly, Chuck Eric Fraunfelter, Bangor, PA , February 6, 2010 at 2:12 PM | Reply Charles (my father's name) & Paul: Hi to both of you! I have read all of your blogs, Charles. I understand what you are saying about the modern times and it may be true, however I ABSOLUTELY agree with Paul and I think his story line is a great seller. Why not try it? Sell it on another network or get funding to do the project on your own and then do a study to see if it was a hit. I do believe there many people today who would love a show like the old Grizzly Adams. I wish for my children to see the world and wilderness as it once was. We are outdoors people and love the mountains of PA where we have a cabin. Please keep all of us posted when and where we can see the new Grizzle Adas. I am a teacher and professor in education completing my Ph.D, in education. I would love to help you with your endeavor. One more question: where can I watch or purchase the entire video series for my 3 children to watch. I want them to share the same experiences I did as a child. Thanks for memory lane. This blog has brought back many memories as a little boy sitting in the living room with my dad (who is now deceased)and brother watching your show. This is one of the reasons we enjoy the wonderful wilderness of Potter County, PA. Please advise me where to purchase (or watch) the Grizzly Adams series at an affordable price with a wife (homemaker) and 3 daughters. Eric

See all 17 Comments >>

Grizzly Adams 3-D Coming to Movie Theaters Near You

Charles E. Sellier, president of Grizzly Adams® Productions, and Greg Passmore, president of San Diego's 3-D production studio PassmoreLab, just outlined a multi-year deal to convert all of Grizzly Adams' projects currently in development into 3-D experiences. "The majors," explains Grizzly Adams' Sellier, "have proven at the box office that 3-D is the next generation of entertainment trends. We're the first independent film production company to commit all of our future films and much of our current library to this cutting edge technology." Friends for Life will be the first film completed under the Grizzly Adams-PassmoreLab association. The 3-D version will be available for Spring 2010 worldwide theatrical release.
 

2 Comments     Comments Email

kathy, washington , January 31, 2010 at 8:18 PM | Reply The only thing that could top this off s if dan haggerty himself would of played james adams!!! lynn, Arlington TX , February 28, 2010 at 1:46 PM | Reply I totally agree!! I grew up watching Grizzly Adams and I have tried to introduce my son to the adventures. What I have shown him, he LOVES!!! Wish I had access to more.

Kingdomwood Film Festival to Showcase Friends for Life

Posted on September 23, 2009 Customer Service

Atlanta, GA—Grizzly Adams Productions' highly acclaimed feature film, Friends for Life, will open the Kingdomwood Christian Film Festival at a red carpet event. The festival is scheduled for October 1-3 at the Mall at Stonecrest in Lithonia, Georgia, about twenty miles east of Atlanta.

"We're excited that this is quickly becoming a major film festival for faith-based film projects," explains co-founder Audrey Thomas. "The support has been overwhelming. Our festival has demonstrated there is a strong market for filmmakers working and striving to have their faith-based projects screened and recognized."  

The first of nearly thirty features and shorts to be screened at the festival, Friends for Life has been honored by 28 film festivals and film competitions around the world. The feature length motion picture was directed by Michael Spence and written by Joseph Meier and Charles E. Sellier. David Balsiger, a senior producer at Grizzly Adams, has been invited to be a featured speaker at the festival.  For more on Kingdomwood, visit www.Kingdomwood.com.
  

Friends for Life in 3D

Posted on September 23, 2009 Customer Service

Friends For Life is about to enter a whole new dimension.  San Diego-based PassmoreLab, a state-of-the-art multi-media production studio that specializes in 2-D to 3-D content conversion, is currently working on re-mastering Friends for Life for 3-D release and theatrical exhibition.  "We created Friends for Life so the whole family can sit and enjoy a redeeming, life-affirming film together," Grizzly Adams founder and President Chuck Sellier explains. "For the past half dozen years or so, cutting-edge movie producers have recognized that sophisticated video game graphics have conditioned our younger viewers to expect more realistic visuals than we were previously able to deliver. Tremendous advancements have been made recently combining high definition and three dimensions."

Greg Passmore, president of the company that bears his name, observes, "The difference is like night and day. Today's 3-D experience, whether in a movie theater or at home in front of a 3-D TV, is sharp, crisp, clean, realistic, and very enjoyable. PassmoreLab employs leading edge technology to insure Friends for Life is not just a 3-D movie, but an immersive and engaging experience that can be enjoyed as if you were actually standing in the woods with the characters."

The 3-D version of Friends for Life is scheduled to be completed in the fall of 2009 and will be available for Spring 2010 worldwide theatrical release.
 

Welcome Message

Posted on September 23, 2009 Customer Service

We finally decided to have our own blog to give all the information concerning our developments but also to discuss directly with you and get your feedback and your thoughts about what is going on here at Grizzly Adams Productions.

We will try to keep this blog as updated as possible. We will also try to provide you with news and information about our current and future Family-Friendly entertainment offerings.

Don't hesitate to let us know what you think of this blog