The development of Sci Fi TV shows just keeps moving forward. This time around there are nine projects that I have seen info on, though several of them seem to be somewhat of a stretch. Still, this is a lot of shows in the hopper. is there enough room on the schedule for all of them?
Krypton – Bleeding Cool reports a rumor that Man of Steel writer David Goyer is working on the script for a TV series possibly to be called Krytpon. They think that the success of Gotham may have spurred an interest in developing a pre-Superman series. This is in the very early stages with few details at this point, so we will have to wait until we get further word. (Of note, they did report the rumors of the Supergirl and X-Men series before those were confirmed by others).
Phantom of the Opera – ABC has ordered a pilot script for a television adaptation of the famous Gaston Leroux novel from Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry. According to TV Line the series will be a modern re-working of the story that will take place in “in the sexy and cutthroat world of the modern-day music business”. It will not be a musical like the Broadway production of the story, though. ABC is likely considering this for their Fall 2015 schedule.
Frankenstein – FOX is considering a TV adaptation of Mary Shelley’s famous novel from X-Files / Buffy alum Howard Gordon. Deadline Hollywood describes that premise thusly:
Taking inspiration from the basic Mary Shelley mythology of a man brought back to life by scientists playing god, Frankenstein centers on Adam Tremble, a morally corrupt FBI agent who is given a second chance at life when he is brought back from the dead. Now younger and stronger, Tremble will have to choose between his old temptations and his new sense of purpose — dealing with threats beyond the FBI’s capabilities. All the while navigating the complicated relationship with his “creators”: an antisocial Internet billionaire and his bio-engineer twin sister.
If picked up, this would likely be targeted for the 2015-16 season.
The Magellan – The CW’s post-apocalyptic series The 100 is struggling in the ratings during its second season, but that’s not discouraging the network from considering another series in a very similar vein. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the premise of this show
revolves around what happens when a mysterious global cataclysm strands a group of students, teachers and crew on a Semester at Sea sailboat. With the entire planet seemingly covered in water, they begin to wonder if they are the only survivors left. As they explore their strange — yet strangely beautiful — new world, this group of strangers must join forces to survive, all while facing the equally daunting challenges of friendship, family and even love.
Jennifer Johnson (The Following) is attached to the project and it is based on the popular Spanish series El Barco which ran for three seasons overseas. A pilot has not been ordered yet, but this one will likely be one of the shows considered for the 2015-16 season.
Wrecked – TBS has ordered a pilot for this Lost meets It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia comdey. According to Deadline Hollywood
Wrecked chronicles the aftermath of a plane crashing on a remote island. Two best friends, along with an extremely diverse group of survivors, must adjust to life in a dangerous new world that poses unique threats.which they mostly bring upon themselves. Danny and Owen, who weren’t quite killing it pre-crash, are given the chance to finally be the kind of men they’ve always wanted to be. No longer plugged in, they become the unexpected leaders of this new society devoid of such comforts as social media, wi-fi, indoor plumbing and fast food restaurants.
If TBS likes the pilot, it would likely find its way to the schedule at some point in 2015.
Coming of Rage – This Wes Craven comic book series that has a vampire, a werewolf, and a zombie as its lead characters is getting adapted to television. It is only in the very early stages at this point with no network attached, but scripts are being written and pitches will follow.
Scream – Genre fans may have an interest in knowing that MTV is adapting this slasher film franchise to the small scream . . . er . . . screen. How exactly it will work remains to be seen, but the rumor is that Ghostface may be an actual ghost in the series.
Ben Affleck & Matt Damon Supernatural Comedy – Deadline Hollywood‘s description of this show goes as follows: “it centers on a 25-year-old woman who works at a frozen yogurt shop and whose life is going nowhere – until she discovers she is telekinetic.” I’m really not certain what more I can add to that . . .
Horrorstör – And if it sounds like producers out there are scrapping the bottom of the barrel (or perhaps ignoring some of the really good ideas), this TV adaptation of Grady Hendrix’s novel will give us a horror story set in an Ikea-like store . . .
