News, updates, and (mostly viable) rumors relating to development of science fiction / fantasy television productions. If you have tips or more info on these or other productions, please pass them along in the comments.
Development continues through the current pilot season and several more sci fi / fantasy television shows are in the works included one much anticipated revival.
The Tick
Network: Amazon
Production Team: Ben Edlund (Writer / Executive Producer), Barry Josephson (Executive Producer), Patrick Warburton (Executive Producer)
Starring: Griffin Newman, Valorie Curry
Status: Pilot Ordered
About: “The reboot will bring back the eponymous muscle-bound, antennae-sporting superhero, along with his sidekick Arthur, surrounded by a new host of characters.” Source: Deadline Hollywood
Comments: This revival of the 2001 live action series based on the Ben Edlund comic book has been in the works for a while and original star Patrick Warburton was initially set to return as the title character. The fact that he stars on the NBC comedy Crowded will keep him from reprising his role as The Tick, though he is still set to executive produce the series. Griffin Newman has been cast as Arthur Everest and Valorie Curry will play his sister.
—
Artificial Intelligence
Network: TNT
Production Team: Luc Besson (Co-Creator / Executive Producer), Bill Wheeler (Co-Creator / Executive Producer)
Status: In Development
About: “In the series, an artificial intelligence entity escapes its laboratory confinement and begins a methodical quest to carry out mysterious plans. The creator of the AI assembles a team of specialists to discern its objective, while simultaneously working to counter its rapid maneuvers and warn the world of imminent dangers.” Source: CommingSoon.Net
Comments: This has been picked up to series by TNT and Luc Besson is considering directing the pilot. The network will likely add this to its schedule late 2016 or early 2017.
—
True Skin
Network: Amazon
Production Team: Stephan Zlotescu (Creator / Executive Producer), Scott Glassgold (Executive Producer), Ground Control (Production Company)
Status: Pilot Ordered
About: Based on the short film of the same name “set in the not-too-distant future where everyone is augmenting their bodies. The story’s hero can’t afford to augment in the U.S., so he heads to the black market of Bangkok, where he gets hold of a mysterious chip that he discovers is slowly turning him robotic — and is a hot commodity wanted by shadowy forces.” Source: THR
Comments: This was originally planned as a feature film adaptation by Warner Bros., but that deal fell through. Amazon has since picked it up and will make the pilot available for viewers to vote if they want it to continue as an ongoing series. You can see the original short film at this link.
—
Roadside Picnic
Network: WGN
Production Team: Jack Paglen (Writer / Executive Producer), Alan Taylor (Director), Neal Moritz (Executive Producer), Sony Pictures TV (Studio)
Status: Pilot Ordered
About: “Roadside Picnic explores a near-future world where aliens have come and gone, leaving humankind to explore the wondrous and dangerous mysteries left behind. The story also explores the social ramifications of their visit, as seen through the eyes of Red, a veteran ‘stalker’ who has made it his mission to illegally venture into the once inhabited zone and scavenge the abandoned remains of the alien culture.” Source: Deadline Hollywood
Comments: This is based on the famous Soviet era novel of the same name written by Russian brothers Arkady and Boris Strugatsky and it was previously adapted to the big screen as 1979’s Stalker. WGN will consider adding this to their schedule in late 2016 or early 2017.
—
After
Network: Freeform (formerly ABC Family)
Production Team: Tom Lynch (Writer / Executive Producer), Adam Lash (Writer / Executive Producer), Robin Schwartz (Executive Producer)
Status: Early Development
About: “After re-imagines Sleeping Beauty and what happens after happily ever. In it, Princess Aurora wakes up to the kiss of a handsome prince one hundred years after falling asleep to find her family long dead and her kingdom taken from her. She must transform into a warrior to regain it.” Source: Deadline Hollywood
Comments: This is based on the 2015 novel A Wicked Thing Rhiannon Thomas. Freeform will look at adding this one to its schedule late 2016 or early 2017.
—
Big Hero 6
Network: Disney XD
Production Team: Mark McCorkle (Executive Producer), Bob Schooley (Executive Producer)
Status: In Development
About: “The series picks up immediately following the events in the movie, and continues the adventures of 14-year-old tech genius Hiro and his robot Baymax. Joining the pair on their journey is control freak Wasabi, scientist Honey Lemon, fanboy Fred and no-nonsense Go Go, who together form the Big Hero 6 superhero team. As the new prodigy at San Fransokyo Institute of Technology, Hiro faces daunting academic challenges, not to mention the social trials of being the little man on campus. The stakes are also raised for the high-tech heroes when they must protect their city from an array of scientifically enhanced villains.” Source: THR
Comments: This is a spin-off of the 2014 animated feature (which was loosely based on the Marvel comic book of the same name), and Disney XD has this one set to debut in 2017.
