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.
Pilot season is continuing to move forward and the cable networks have started presenting their upcoming schedules to the sponsors, so there have been several announcements of note over the last few weeks. Plus, and update on the previously announced Tales from the Crypt reboot: TNT has officially ordered ten episodes on this horror anthology that will be produced by M. Night Shyamalan. Here are more of the announcements that I have seen recently:
The Twilight Zone
Network: CBS
Production Team: Interlude (Production Company)
Status: In Development
About: CBS and Interlude are looking to reboot this property as an “interactive” series. It will “honor the original series’ approach but will add the twist of letting the viewer ‘change and adapt the story based on what he or she feels,’ the companies said. ‘As with all other Interlude videos, viewers can return repeatedly and have a different viewing experience each time.'” Source: The Wrap
Comments: The details are a little bit fuzzy on how this one will work, so we will probably have to wait for more updates to get a better idea of what this will look like.
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Krypton
Network: Syfy
Production Team: David S. Goyer (Executive Producer), Ian Goldberg (Executive Producer), Damian Kindle (Executive Producer)
Status: Pilot Ordered
About: This Superman prequel series “is set two generations before the destruction of the legendary Man of Steel’s home planet. Krypton will follow Superman’s grandfather — whose House of El was ostracized and shamed — as he fights to redeem his family’s honor and save his beloved world from chaos.” Source: The Wrap
Comments: This project has been in development for a couple of years and Syfy is now moving forward with the pilot. The cable net will likely be targeting this for a 2017 bow.
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Travelers
Network: Netflix
Production Team: Brad Wright (Creator, Executive Producer), Peacock Alley Entertainment (Production Company)
Starring: Eric McCormack, Mackenzie Porter, Patrick Gilmore, Jared Paul Abrahamson, Nesta Marlee Cooper, Reilly Dolman
Status: In Development
About: “The series is set hundreds of years in the future where technology has developed a means of sending people back in time to the 21st century to help save humanity from a grim future.” Source: Variety
Comments: Coming from Stargate veteran Brad Wright, Netflix has ordered twelve episodes of this sci fi drama which will likely bow at some point in 2017.
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EVE
Network: No Network Attached
Production Team: Hilmar Veigar Pétursson (Executive Producer), Ridley Scott (Executive Producer), Baltasar Kormákur (Director / Executive Producer)
Status: Very Early Development
About: This series would be based on the MMOPRG science fiction game EVE Online.
Comments: This is at a very early stage with only sketchy details at this point, but EVE Online CEO Hilmar Veigar Pétursson claims they are “actively working” and adapting this to television and that “EVE is the size of Game of Thrones, and you couldn’t make a movie about Game of Thrones, it’s just way too big. EVE Online is at that scale, so I think a TV series is something that makes sense.” Source: Wired
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Sea Change
Network: Lifetime
Production Team: Liz Sczudlo (Writer / Executive Producer), Fernando Szew (Writer / Executive Producer), Sharon Bordas (Writer / Executive Producer)
Status: In Development
About: “Sea Change follows a strong 17-year-old girl who, after the death of her father, moves to a small Nantucket-like island to live with her estranged mother. There she is pulled into classic small-town rivalries and clashes with her mother, but quickly learns the depth of those conflicts when the island legend about dangerous Sea Walkers appears to be true, presenting a mystery for her and her family.” Source: Deadline Hollywood
Comments: Based on the YA novels by Aimee Friedman, Lifetime is likely targeting adding this to their 2017 schedule.
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A Midsummer’s Nightmare
Network: Lifetime
Production Team: Anthony Jaswinski (Writer / Executive Producer), A&E Studios (Studio)
Status: In Development
About: “A Midsummer’s Nightmare, from A+E Studios, is described as an adaptation of Shakespeare plays that are turned into contemporary horror mysteries. Each season would take on a different play, starting with A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Source: Variety
Comments: The network is likely targeting adding this to their 2017 schedule.
