The Mad Hatter may have a chance at a happily ever after, but not with Sebastian Stan in the role. According to Deadline, ABC is considering spinning off the popular "Once Upon a Time" character into his own show, but Stan is reportedly unavailable for the potential series commitment, likely due to his roles in Broadway play "Picnic" and the "Captain America" franchise.
Instead, ABC is said to be considering recasting Stan's role. Deadline reports that the network is looking at two possible options for the Hatter project: Filming a short presentation starring the character (with the potential for a 13-episode series commitment should execs like what they see), or reintroducing the recast character for another guest arc later this season on "Once Upon a Time," with an episode filmed as a backdoor pilot. The CW is employing the same strategy for their "Vampire Diaries" spinoff, "The Originals."
According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Once Upon a Time" creators Adam Horowitz and Eddy Kitsis are also working on the Mad Hatter project and would be showrunners on both series should Hatter move forward, where it would be in contention for a fall 2013 premiere.
NBC also has an "Alice in Wonderland"-themed pilot in contention this season titled "Wonderland," which would pick up several years after the events of Lewis Carroll's novel, when Alice is the queen of Wonderland.
Would you watch a Mad Hatter series without Sebastian Stan?
