Very Young Frankenstein is officially moving forward at FX after receiving a pilot order and adding more well-known names to the cast. The upcoming show is inspired by the hilarious Mel Brooks movie Young Frankenstein, with Brooks returning to executive produce the project.
Cary Elwes was previously reported to star in the pilot episode, where he will reunite with Brooks after they worked together on Robin Hood: Men in Tights 32 years earlier. What We Do in the Shadows' Stefani Robinson will be the showrunner and writer and Taika Waititi will direct the pilot.
FX has now greenlit a pilot order for Very Young Frankenstein, along with announcing that Zach Galifianakis, Kumail Nanjiani, Dolly Wells, Spencer House, and Nikki Crawford are joining the cast. Elwes is confirmed to be in the pilot as well, although all character and plot details remain under wraps.
What This Means For Very Young Frankenstein
Rudy Thurber (Kumail Nanjiani) looking puzzled in Only Murders in the Building Season 4 Episode 6
Very Young Frankenstein's pilot is now officially happening at FX, with a cast featuring several award-winning comedic Disney stars. Galifianakis played Jumba in Disney's Lilo & Stitch live-action remake, which made more than $1 billion at the worldwide box office. He is also an Emmy Award winner for Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis.
Along with being known for his extensive work as a comedian, Nanjiani received an Emmy nomination for his performance in Welcome to Chippendales and had a starring role in the underrated Marvel Cinematic Universe movie Eternals. Both Galifianakis and Nanjiani won a Screen Actors Guild Award for being part of the ensemble cast in Hulu's Only Murders in the Building season 4.
Given the comedic talent in front of and behind the camera and the movie inspiring it, Very Young Frankenstein will be fully leaning into absurd comedy. It will be nothing like the drama of Guillermo del Toro's upcoming Frankenstein movie starring Oscar Isaac.
While the comedy has yet to be picked up for a full series, the many star-studded names attached to the project should help, as they are veterans at delivering humor that resonates with audiences.
Our Take On Very Young Frankenstein's Pilot Order & New Cast Members
Jumba (Zach Galifianakis) waving in Lilo & Stitch (2025)
Between Brooks, key members of What We Do In the Shadow's creative team, and Elwes, Very Young Frankenstein was already an exciting prospect, and that is only more true after the new cast additions and pilot order. FX hopefully recognizes that they may have TV's next hilarious show on their hands.
The awards Galifianakis and Nanjiani have won or been nominated for are impressive, but regardless, they are two of the funniest actors and comedians in the entertainment industry. It will be fascinating to see who they will be playing once more details about Very Young Frankenstein's cast and story are revealed.
