Written and directed by science fiction author Michael Crichton, Westworld debuts in theaters, mashing up familiar western tropes with a tale of cyborgs gone mad. Richard Benjamin (Quark), James Brolin, and Yul Brynner guest star; Majel Barrett (Star Trek) and Dick Van Patten play cameo roles. A hit for MGM, Westworld will spawn many attempts to follow up on its success, from the 1976 movie Futureworld to numerous TV revivals well into the 21st century. 
Attempting to build a TV franchise onto the 1973 hit movie Westworld (and ignoring a previous attempted TV revival in 1980), HBO premieres the first episode of Westworld, starring Anthony Hopkins, Thandie Newton, Ed Harris, and Evan Rachel Wood. The series premiere of the spectacularly expensive, long-delayed show wins a large audience and a cult following.
HBO premieres the second episode of Westworld, starring Anthony Hopkins, Thandie Newton, Ed Harris, and Evan Rachel Wood.
HBO premieres the third episode of Westworld, starring Anthony Hopkins, Thandie Newton, Ed Harris, and Evan Rachel Wood. Gina Torres (Firefly, Cleopatra 2525) guest stars.