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 development announcements keep rolling in and this time include two well know properties. Whether the Peak TV bubble burst before all of these are realized remains to be seen.
War of the Worlds
Network: MTV
Production Team: Andrew Cochran (Writer / Executive Producer), Josh Barry (Executive Producer), Jeff Davis (Executive Producer)
Status: In Development
About: This will be an adaptation of of H.G. Wells’ famous novel that will be take place in a modern setting. Source: Deadline Hollywood
Comments: MTV will be looking at adding this to their 2017 schedule. Executive Producer Josh Barry is the grandson of Gene Barry who starred in the 1954 feature film adaptation of the book.
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Lifeline
Network: YouTube Red
Production Team: Dwayne Johnson (Executive Producer), Dany Garcia (Executive Producer), Sam Gorski (Director / Executive Producer), Niko Pueringer (Director / Executive Producer)
Status: In Development
About: “Set in the not-too-distant future, the half hour series, is about a little known life insurance company that sends its agents forward 33 days in time to prevent the accidental deaths of its clients. The company’s best man, Charlie Hooks, has never missed a save – until one case changes his life forever.” Source: Deadline Hollywood
Comments: Lifeline is currently the tentative title for this show and it is set to bow on the YouTube’s subscription streaming service in 2017.
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Blue Book
Network: History Channel
Production Team: David O’Leary (Creator / Executive Producer), Robert Zemeckis (Executive Producer), ImageMovers (Production Company)
Status: In Development
About: “Blue Book is a story about the real-life, U.S. Air Force-sponsored investigations into UFO-related phenomena from 1947-70.” Source: Deadline Hollywood
Comments: The History Channel will be considering this for their 2017 schedule. This series sounds very similar to the late 70’s entry Project: UFO.
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Freaks of the Heartland
Network: MTV
Production Team: David Gordon Green (Executive Producer), Mike Richardson (Executive Producer), Keith Goldberg (Executive Producer)
Status: In Development
About: “Freaks of the Heartland is set in a rural town in America’s heartland that has harbored a terrible secret. Trevor’s family had been hiding his deformed little brother Will in the barn, hidden from the world by their father. When the local sheriff discovers Will and kills their father in the subsequent struggle, the boys go on the run, framed for the murder, and uncover that Will isn’t the only one, that “freak” children were born to other families in this town, and that the sheriff killed many of them years ago. Now he wants to finish the job, and only Trevor stands in his way. Trevor will do whatever it takes to keep his brother – and all the other innocent freaks still in hiding – out of harms way.” Source: Deadline Hollywood
Comments: Described as a “dark fairy tale drama” this is based on the Dark Horse comic book series by Geoff Davey and Peter Sattler. MTV will be looking at adding this to their 2017 schedule.
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Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
Network: No Network Attached
Production Team: Zev Borow (Writer / Executive Producer)
Status: Early Development
About: This will be a television series adaptation of the feature film starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet about two people who use a new technology to erase each other from their minds after their relationship falls apart. Source: THR
Comments: It is unclear at this point if this will adapt the movie of follow others who erase their memories after bad relationships.
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Impulse
Network: YouTube Red
Production Team: Doug Liman (Executive Producer), Jeffrey Lieber (Writer / Executive Producer)
Status: In Development
About: “Based on the third novel in the Jumper series by Steven Gould, Impulse features a rebellious 16-year-old girl who has always felt different from her peers and has longed to escape from her seemingly quaint small town. When a local drug dealer attempts to assault her, she discovers she has the extraordinary ability to teleport. This newfound power confirms her conviction that she really was different from everybody else, but it now makes her the focus of those who want to control her.” Source: Deadline Hollywood
Comments: This show is set to bow on the YouTube’s subscription streaming service in 2017.
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Nightmare Time
Network: TBS
Production Team: Aubrey Plaza (writier / Executive Producer)
Starring: Aubrey Plaza
Status: In Development
About: “Set in Aubrey Plaza’s Nightmare Clinic, celebrity guests check in to overcome recurring nightmares. Thanks to advanced technology, we’re able to peer into their restless minds, and witness their nightmares in real time. But what is ‘real’ anyway? Maybe it’s all just a nightmare in Aubrey’s mind. One endless nightmare that could eventually destroy her and the entire world.” TBS.com
Comments: According to TBS, each episode “would feature two ‘insane’ nightmares inspired by ‘the horrors of modern society’ as well as ‘tropes and touchstones of the horror genre.'” The network is currently considering this one for their 2017 schedule. Source: TVLine.com
