Variety is reporting that the WB network has outbid three competitors and landed a new version of Lost In Space put together by writer Daniel Petrie (Buffy) and director John Woo (Face Off).  The WB has committed $2 million for the production of a pilot and will eventually pick up the full tab for the series if it is a success.  Aside from the financial, commitment another key factor that swung the deal in the Frog's favor was the network's 'family' orientation and the presence of two strong potential lead-in shows, Smallville and Charmed.

Petrie told Variety that the series, which is set in 2097, will not feature a Dr. Smith character (boo), though it will have a robot (yay).  'It's not about laser blasters and starships and funky aliens, though there will be bags of all of those,' explained Petrie.  'That stuff is just the best window dressing, the way monsters provided a way for Buffy to say high school is hell.  The show is going to be more based on what's going on with the typical American family rather than a sweeping space opera.'