Lee Daniels Says ‘Every Studio’ Declined to Bring ‘Star’ Back

Lee Daniels is not giving up on Star, even after “every studio” turned down the idea of reviving the music drama.

Daniels shared an update with fans in a video he posted to Instagram on Saturday, July 11. The 44-second clip began with snippets of fans calling for the show’s return before the filmmaker explained why Star has remained off the air since it was canceled in 2019.

“Every studio has told me ‘no.’ So, I am figuring out a creative way to bring it back because again, studios don’t know the culture,” he said.

Still, the filmmaker made a promise to the show’s loyal fans. “I’m going to give you my word, we’re getting it back,” Daniels said, noting that he’s open to putting the series on YouTube.

Related: Lee Daniels ‘Fighting’ to Find ‘Star’ a New Home After Cancellation

After his video went viral, the producer-writer-director returned to Instagram Sunday morning with another message and thanked fans for their support.

“Whoa. I had no idea this response was going to be what it has been, on Star. It only makes me work that much harder and make sure I deliver on this,” he said.

“Zeus [Network] even posted some stuff. I’ve never even been in business with them, but I’m going to check them out too and talk to them,” Daniels added. “It only inspires me and I’m so appreciative, and so is Queen Latifah, and so is the cast of everybody’s positive responses to this. Stay tuned!”

Daniels and Tom Donaghy created the series about three singers pursuing their dreams of making it in the music industry. Jude Demorest, Ryan Destiny and Brittany O’Grady starred as the up-and-coming performers.

Queen Latifah, Quincy Brown, Amiyah Scott, Brandy Norwood, Lance Gross and Benjamin Bratt also had roles on the show. Queen Latifah additionally served as a producer.

Star premiered in 2016 as a companion series to Empire, with both shows airing on Fox. But in May 2019, the network canceled Star after three seasons.

Fox Entertainment CEO Charlie Collier told reporters at a press event that the network chose not to move forward with Star because it wanted to focus its resources on Empire for the show’s sixth and final season.

Daniels, who also co-created Empire, said at the time, the team behind Star was disappointed.

“To our die-hard Star fans, please know this was not of my doing. Our cast and crew are heartbroken,” he shared back in 2019.

Daniels has said he wants to bring Star back numerous times. Despite the show’s popularity and devoted fans, there have been no takers.