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 Fall season–which will be bringing over forty sci fi & fantasy shows to Prime Time this year–has not officially started yet, but the networks are already hard at work on new development. I’ve seen seven announcements since the last Sci Fi TV Development post which went up last Monday and quite a number of these are high-profile projects. Here is a rundown of what I have seen so far and expect more in the coming weeks.
Black Lightning
Network: No Network Attached Yet
Production Team: Greg Berlanti (Executive Producer), Mara Brock Akil (Executive Producer), Salim Akil (Executive Producer)
Status: Early Development
About: “Black Lightning centers on Jefferson Pierce. He made his choice: he hung up the suit and his secret identity years ago, but with a daughter hell-bent on justice and a star student being recruited by a local gang, he’ll be pulled back into the fight as the wanted vigilante and DC legend Black Lightning.” Source: Deadline Hollywood
Comments: Greg Berlanti is of course the one who has shepherded The CW’s DC superheros to hit status and has now turned his attention to this project. The fifth place will likely consider adding the show, but it already has an overload of superhero shows so this one is being pitched to other networks as well.
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Untitled X-Men Series
Network: FOX
Production Team: Matt Nix (Writer / Executive Producer), Bryan Singer (Executive Producer)
Status: In Development
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: Not to be confused with upcoming X-Men related shows Runaways (more on that at this link) or Legion (more on that at this link), FOX looks to be serious about adding this to their schedule as they have made a put pilot commitment meaning that they pay a severe penalty if it does not go to series. The network will likely be considering this for their 2017-18 schedule.
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New Warriors
Network: ABC
Production Team: N/A
Status: Early Development
About: “Described as the junior version of The Avengers, the New Warriors are a superhero squad made up of teenagers, one of whom would include Doreen Green (aka Squirrel Girl). For the record, SG can do more than just communicate with the world’s vast squirrel population; she also possesses super-speed and strength.” Source: TV Line
Comments: Marvel and ABC Studios are allegedly working on this series which would have more of a comedy angle. But it does not appear to be in consideration for ABC’s schedule as they are pitching it to the cable channels and streaming services. ABC had previously developed the Marvel superhero comedy Damage Control, but never went forward with the project
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Camelot
Network: FOX
Production Team: Dan Frey (Writer / Executive Producer), Ru Sommer (Writer / Executive Producer), Gail Berman (Executive Producer), Joe Earley (Executive Producer)
Status: In Development
About: “The drama, which landed at Fox in a competitive situation with a script plus penalty commitment, reimagines the legendary stories of King Arthur in a police procedural. When an ancient magic reawakens in modern-day Manhattan, a graffiti artist named Art must team with his best friend Lance and his ex, Gwen — an idealistic cop — in order to realize his destiny and fight back against the evil forces that threaten the city.” Source: THR
Comments: One wonders how much this project has diverged from the original pitch, especially after having learned that NBC wanted to change The Walking Dead into a procedural without zombies when they were first approached with the series. Camelot will likely be under consideration for FOX’s 2017-18 schedule.
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Let the Right One In
Network: TNT
Production Team: Jeff Davis (Writer / Executive Producer), Marty Adelstein (Executive Producer), Becky Clements (Executive Producer)
Status: Pilot Ordered
About: “Based on the best-seller from Swedish author John Ajvide Lindqvist, “Let The Right One In” is an eerie drama about a young boy, long tormented by his classmates, who finds solace in a friendship with a charismatic female vampire who appears to be near his age. The vampire settles into the boy’s small Vermont town with her mysterious caretaker, just as a series of bizarre murders begins attracting the attention of law enforcement.” Source: Variety
Comments: Teen Wolf creator Jeff Davis has developed this project, based on the Swedish novel of the same name. and is penning the pilot. TNT will likely be considering this for their 2017 schedule. This was previously adapted to a movie in both Sweden and the U.S.
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Doomsday
Network: ABC
Production Team: Mark Bianculli (Writer / Executive Producer), VJ Boyd (Writer / Executive Producer), Carol Mendelsohn (Executive Producer)
Status: In Development
About: “Doomsday starts in the aftermath of 9/11, when the U.S. government institutes a secret think tank featuring the most creative minds in science and entertainment that is tasked with dreaming up man-made disaster scenarios and their possible solutions. Because the hypothetical ideas are deemed extremely dangerous, the list is sealed and the program shut down. But when a catastrophe occurs that’s ripped from the pages of the missing doomsday book, the team is brought back years later to prevent the disasters of their own making.” Source: Deadline Hollywood
Comments: ABC has given this project a pilot production commitment and will pay a severe penalty if it does not go to series. They will likely be considering adding it to their 2017-18 season schedule.
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Ghosted
Network: FOX
Production Team: Tom Gormican (Writer / Executive Producer), Craig Robinson (Executive Producer), Adam Scott (Executive Producer)
Starring: Craig Robinson, Adam Scott
Status: In Development
About: “Described as a sort of comedic X-Files, Ghosted centers on Leroy Wright (Robinson), a cynical, hilarious skeptic, and Max Allison (Scott), a genius ‘true believer’ in the paranormal, who are hired by the Underground Investigative Service to look into the rampant ‘unexplained’ activity in Los Angeles — all while uncovering a larger mystery that could threaten the existence of the human race.” Source: Deadline Hollywood
Comments: Craig Robinson (The Office) previously teamed with Adam Scott (Parks & Recreation) in Hot Tub Time Machine 2. FOX will be considering this comedy for their 2017-18 schedule.
See more Sci Fi TV Development Projects at this link
