It seems the hosts of "Top Gear" are getting back together, only this time for a show in the U.S.
Former hosts of the popular automotive show, James May and Richard Hammond, will likely turn down a lucrative offer from the BBC to return to the program, as the two are launching a new show with fellow co-star Jeremy Clarkson for Netflix instead.
"Flattering though it is to be offered huge sums there'll be no going back. It wouldn't feel right and their heart wouldn't be in it," said an insider to U.K. publication The Mirror. "They've always said they come as a team and that hasn't changed."
The source, who was not identified by the publication, said executive producer Andy Wilman is also in on the deal with the U.S. subscription service.
May and Hammond are supposedly looking forward to having "total editorial control" over a brand new program with Clarkson that would stand to earn them a lot more money than they would by signing with the BBC again.
The main issue May and Hammond have with the BBC is the fact that they want to make a show without Clarkson, who was the heart and soul behind "Top Gear." Clarkson's contract was not renewed earlier this year by the BBC after he got into a fracas with a producer from the show.
"He wrote it, came up with ideas and was its heart. It will need about three or four good operators to replace him," the insider said. "The amount of work required to get Top Gear back on the road again is just sinking in amongst executives. It is a huge task."
The BBC is determined to keep Top Gear going no matter who the hosts are since the show brought in $225 million in revenue last year for BBC Worldwide.
It wouldn't be crazy for Netflix to sign the three for an original show, especially after achieving success with its own original programming, like "House of Cards" and "Orange is the New Black."
The BBC has not commented yet regarding the news.
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