Fans haven’t given up just yet on getting some closure for Westworld. After four seasons, the show’s creators had publicly stated their hopes in securing a fifth and final season order to close out the story properly. Instead, it was announced in November that HBO had canceled the series with no plans to develop season 5. Declining viewership, a costly budget, and major leadership changes behind the scenes at HBO may have all contributed to the decision.
In any case, many fans found it acceptable for HBO to pull the plug on Westworld after fans had put in four seasons worth of investment. It resulted in the launch of SaveWestworld.com, a new website designed to keep the campaign going and hopefully score a renewal. The website includes a link to the Change.org petition created calling for the renewal, as well as other information such as unresolved mysteries, the latest news on Westworld, and other tips on how fans can help save the show.
“As you may be aware, Westworld has recently been canceled before the planned fifth and final season,” a mission statement on the website reads. “Since the beginning, Westworld’s creators had this last piece of the loop in mind to tie everything together in the end. Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan are legends in their craft and deserve to finish their original design. Many of us fans are left devastated, as we considered Westworld to set a gold standard for storytelling, acting, and filmmaking as a whole.”
The statement adds, “The show has incredible rewatch value, with secrets and easter eggs scattered everywhere, teasing an ultimate solution to a complex problem: How does humanity save itself from a rebelling artificial intelligence? It would be a shame for something of such high effort to be simply left in the dust.”
Westworld May Not Get a Fifth Season
Warner Bros. Television
Given how costly Westworld had been to develop, it would seem that the odds are against HBO reversing course and ordering another season. It’s possible Netflix or another streaming platform could pick up the show for a fifth season, but given the high costs that would be attached, it’s hard to say how high interest will be from potential buyers. But the fan campaign certainly doesn’t hurt, as getting enough people asking for more episodes would be the best way to make a renewal happen.
Meanwhile, it’s been reported that Westworld will have its past episodes pulled from HBO Max. The show will be sold to third-party services to become available on other streaming platforms. That’s another sign that HBO has completely given up on doing anything new with the series, so perhaps the best hope fans have for season 5 is for another streamer with money to burn to order that final season.
