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.
As we head into the Christmas season, the development announcements are slowing down, but there has been some news of note including three new series and one update to a previous announcement.
Update:
Krypton: I previously reported that a this Superman prequel series was in the works and Syfy has now jumped on board with the project. According to Hollywood Reporter:
Krypton takes place years before the Superman legend we know, when the House of El was shamed and ostracized. This drama, which is in development, follows the Man of Steel’s grandfather as he brings hope and equality to Krypton, turning a planet in disarray into one worthy of giving birth to the greatest Super Hero ever known.
David Goyer, who wrote and produced the big screen Superman film Man of Steel, will be aboard as executive producer and Syfy will likely target getting it on their schedule late 2015 or early 2016.
Development:
Preacher: AMC is working on another comic book adaptation as they have ordered a series based on the DC character Preacher. As described by Variety, the series is about
Jesse Custer, a preacher in a Texas town who merges with a creature that has escaped from heaven and develops the ability to make anyone do anything he says. Along with his ex-girlfriend, Tulip, and an Irish vampire named Cassidy, the three embark on a journey to find God.
Seth Rogen is attached as executive producer and the pilot will be filmed in Summer 2015 with the series targeting 2016 to hit AMC’s schedule.
Beowulf: ITV has announced plans to adapt the classic Anglo-Saxon poem to a TV series. Thirteen episodes have been ordered which will cover the tale of Beowulf’s renown fight with Grendel.
Imitation: NBC and Jerry Bruckheimer are working on a television adaptation of Heather Hildenbrand’s digital novel Imitation. As described by Hollywood Reporter
the drama takes place in a world where human clones exist and the privileged elite use them to maintain their status. This secret and illegal operation thrives until a 24-year-old clone replaces her imperiled human and threatens to bring down everything her creators have built.
Ian Sobel and Matt Morgan, who worked on El Rey Network’s From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series will be writing and it will likely be piloted for a Fall 2015 bow.
Netflix Development: Also of interest is an announcement from Netflix that they plan on launching twenty new original shows each year. The streaming service is setting itself up to be a major competitor to the broadcast and cable networks as Netlix’s Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos has claimed they “will eventually be the largest producer of original content in the world”. Among genre entries, Netflix has produced the horror series Hemlock Grove and is working on The Defenders which will comprise five different series focusing on the characters Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and a team up of all five. They also have an animated King Kong series in the works and more genre entries will certainly follow.
