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.
After pilot season wrapped up in Spring, development announcements slowed down, but we have seen a surge just recently with several notable shows in the works. Update (7/19/16): This has been updated for the Phoenix Rising development announcement which as been included below.
Lost in Space
Network: Netflix
Production Team: Matt Sazama (Writer / Executive Producer), Burk Sharpless (Writer / Executive Producer), Zack Estrin (Showrunner / Executive Producer)
Status: Early Production (Ordered to Series)
About: A remake of the 1960’s Irwin Allen series, “the new Lost in Space takes its cues from the original series, centering on the Robinson family, who is forced to come together in a time of crisis. Stranded light years from their intended destination, they find themselves battling a strange new alien environment and also their own personal demons.” Source: Deadline Hollywood
Comments: This has been in the works for a while and Netflix has now officially ordered a ten episode first season that will debut at some point in 2018. It is unclear if this will veer more towards the campy tone of the original series, but Netflix VP Cindy Holland has claimed that the reboot “is sure to appeal to both fans who fondly remember the original and to create a new generation of enthusiasts around the world”.
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Untitled X-Men Series
Network: FOX
Production Team: Matt Nix (Writer / Executive Produer)
Status: In Development (Pilot Ordered)
About: “The untitled series will focus on two ordinary parents who discover their children possess mutant powers. Forced to go on the run from a hostile government, the family joins up with an underground network of mutants and must fight to survive.” Source: Variety
Comments: This joins the Legion series that FX has in the works and FOX will likely be considering this for the 2017-18 season. With this show moving forward, the previously announced Hellfire–which was on lifeline–has been shelved for now.
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Holoscape
Network: No Network Attached
Production Team: Rod Roddenberry (Creator / Executive Producer), Trevor Roth (Executive Producer), Storyoscopic Films (Production Company)
Status: Early Development
About: “Holoscape is envisioned as a television program with international appeal, driven by strong diversity in its cast, characters and scope. The series is set in the aftermath of World War 3 and the collapse of civilization. Using a mysterious device from the war, a powerful artifact called the Holoscape, a group of young survivors discover that they are part of a conspiracy that has shaped the destiny of humankind, but are given the chance to escape their present and save our future.” Source: Deadline Hollywood
Comments: This comes from Gene Roddenberry’s son and the project is currently early in the development stage. They will likely be shopping this around to the networks and streaming services over the coming year.
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Locke & Key
Network: No Network Attached
Production Team: Joe Hill (Creator / Writer / Executive Producer), Ted Adams (Executive Producer), David Ozer (Executive Producer), IDW Entertainment (Production Company)
Status: Early Development
About: Based on the comic book of the same name that “follows the Locke family as they encounter magic beyond belief and evils beyond redemption. More than a million copies have been sold worldwide, with the title adapted in dozens of languages.” Source: Hollywood Reporter
Comments: This will be the second attempt to bring Joe Hill’s beloved comic book series to the small screen. FOX previously attempted this in 2010 and the pilot received acclaim from those who saw it, but it did not move forward as a TV series.
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Phoenix Rising
Network: No Network Attached
Production Team: Gary Goddard (Creator / Executive Producer), Judith Garfield Reeves-Stevens (Writer / Executive Producer), Garfield Reeves-Stevens (Writer / Executive Producer), Planet X Productions (Production Company)
Status: In Development
About: “Phoenix Rising picks up 15 years after humanity has lost a devastating war against an artificial intelligence called Overmind. Jonathan Power, the son of the man who caused that war, learns the truth about his father and discovers a new type of battle armor that will enable a small, mismatched team of soldiers and civilians to fight the Bionic armies of the New Order.” Source: Deadline Hollywood
Comments: This is a reboot of the 1980’s series Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future (more on that at this link) and original star Tim Dunigan will return, though in a different role. A young J. Michael Straczinski was heavily involved with the writing of the original series, though there is no word of his involvement with the reboot. The show currently has no network attached, but the producers are bringing it to 2016 San Diego Comic Con to generate interest in the project.
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Battlefield
Network: No Network Attached
Production Team: Michael Sugar (Executive Producer), Ashley Zalta (Executive Producer), Paramount TV (Production Company)
Status: Early Development
About: This series will be based on the Battlefield video game that “delivers an all-out war experience on land, sea and air, a single player campaign that drops gamers behind enemy lines with a particular focus on large maps, teamwork and vehicle warfare.” Source: Deadline Hollywood
Comments: This project is early in the development stage and likely will be shopped around to the networks and streaming services over the coming year.
