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.
The CW and its co-owner CBS have been busy with sci fi TV development announcements with five coming from those networks over the past few weeks. Also coming out of that camp is news that Bryan Fuller will be stepping away from showrunner duties in the upcoming Star Trek: Discovery series. More on that at this link.
Weaveworld
Network: The CW
Production Team: Josh Stolberg (Writer / Executive Producer), Cliver Barker (Executive Producer), Angela Mancuso (Executive Producer)
Status: In Development
About: “In the new take on Weaveworld, two ordinary people find themselves on a quest to find and protect a magical realm and ultimately to save all of humanity from an evil force.” Source: Deadline Hollywood
Comments: This will be The CW’s second attempt to adapt Clive Barker’s Weaveworld to series. A pilot script was written last season but was never filmed. The current attempt will be targeted for the 2017 Pilot Season with a consideration for The CW’s 2017-18 season.
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Searchers
Network: The CW
Production Team: Jason Rothenberg (Writer / Executive Producer), Greg Berlanti (Executive Producer)
Status: In Development
About: “Searchers is about a group of unlikely heroes who find themselves on the journey of a lifetime. Ten years after the death of their parents, a pragmatic brother and free spirited sister are forced to team up when they learn that their mother’s terrifying and bizarre stories may be a road map to discovering the great legends, myths, and unexplainable mysteries of the world.” Source: Deadline Hollywood
Comments: This comes from two CW superstars in Jason Rothenberg (The 100) and Greg Berlanti (the DC superhero shows) and will get strong consideration for the network’s 2017-18 schedule.
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The Terranauts
Network: The CW
Production Team: Zach Helm (Writer / Executive Producer), Jim Parsons (Executive Producer)
Status: In Development
About: “The Terranauts tracks a grand experiment involving the future of humanity, as eight scientists are enlisted to run a biosphere that will prove vital for survival in an off-Earth colony. Their goal is to successfully create a sustainable environment to house generations to come, but things don’t quite go as planned. The drama is described as an epic story of science, society, sex, survival and, ultimately, human folly and ambition.” Source: The Wrap
Comments: Based on the T. C. Boyle novel of the same name, Big Bang Theory‘s breakout star Jim Parson will be executive producing this project. It will be consider for The CW’s 2017-18 schedule.
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Hacktivist
Network: The CW
Production Team: Alyssa Milano (Executive Producer), Matt Corman (Executive Producer), Chris Ord (Executive Producer)
Status: In Development
About: “Hacktivist tells the story of Nate Graft and Ed Hiccox, two twentysomething best friends and co-founders of the most important social networking company in the world, who are recruited to work secretly for the CIA to bring about global social change. Using their fame and access as cover, and their technical prowess as a tool, Nate & Ed pull off risky missions, both foreign and domestic. But the arrangement is not without perils — Nate & Ed’s thirst for information freedom runs deep, begging the question, can the CIA trust them? And, more importantly, can Nate & Ed trust the CIA?” Source: Deadline Hollywood
Comments: This is based on the comic book of the same name created by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly. Alyssa Milano is onboard as executive producer and there is no word at this point if she will also take a regular or recurring role on the show. This one will be consider for The CW’s 2017-18 schedule.
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Salvation
Network: CBS
Production Team: Alex Kurtzman (Executive Producer), Heather Kadin (Executive Producer)
Status: Early Production
About: This series “centers on an MIT grad student and a tech superstar who bring a low-level Pentagon official a staggering discovery: an asteroid is just six months away from colliding with Earth.” Source: TV Line
Comments: CBS has placed a thirteen episode straight-to-series order for this series, from Fringe EP Alex Kurtzman, and it will be the latest sci fi addition to their Summer schedule.
No “Foundation” yet. 🙁