DC Streaming Service is Filling Up the Swamp
The soon-to-be-launched DC streaming service–which has now been officially named DC Universe–has a live-action Swamp Thing series in the works with a targeted debut for 2019. Deadline Hollywood gives the following description for the project:
Written by Mark Verheiden (Ash vs. Evil Dead) and It co-writer Gary Dauberman, Swamp Thing centers on CDC researcher Abby Arcane. When she returns to her childhood home of Houma, Louisiana, in order to investigate a deadly swamp-borne virus, she develops a surprising bond with scientist Alec Holland — only to have him tragically taken from her. But as powerful forces descend on Houma, intent on exploiting the swamp’s mysterious properties for their own purposes, Abby will discover that the swamp holds mystical secrets, both horrifying and wondrous — and the potential love of her life may not be dead after all.
A Swamp Thing television series previously aired on USA for three seasons from 1990-93. That show was inspired by the two 80’s films, though it was not a direct continuation from them. The other original series already in the works for the upcoming DC Universe include a live-action Titans series and a revival of the animated Young Justice series. Both of those are scheduled to debut later this year or early 2019. An animated Harley Quinn series is also planned for the service and it will likely debut in 2019.
Netflix Plans to Go Heavy on Sci Fi and Fantasy
We already know from the development announcements coming out lately (one more below) that Netflix is putting a heavy focus on sci fi and fantasy entries. But the streaming service is actively continuing development in that direction because genre shows have become the most popular among its original offerings. Currently, 29% of Netflix’s upcoming originals are sci fi / fantasy, and the development announcements keep coming. And if the streaming service has an interest, there are plenty of struggling and/or cancelled genre shows looking for a home. There has been no word at this point of interest in saving shows, but that option is always available and would bring a built-in audience over to the streaming service.
More Development News: Failsafe Headed to Netflix
Netflix will be adapting the Vault Comics title Failsafe which is written by Desanto and Todd Farmer. Black Panther co-writer Joe Robert Cole will produces and Michael B. Jordan is pegged for the starring role. Deadline Hollywood gives the following description for the project:
The protagonist is John Ravane, a legendary insurgent hunter who thought he had executed the last nanotech-enhanced super soldier, in a personal battle that included the kidnap of his daughter. A decade later, it becomes clear that sleeper agents scattered around the country are activating, in an attempt to take over New York, and the government leader who pressed him into duty last time has been exposed as corrupt.
FX has officially placed an order for the series What We Do in the Shadows. That will be a spin-off from the 2014 mockumentary of the same name and will follow four vampires living in New York City. Expect it to hit the schedule at some point in 2019.
Sci Fi TV Status Report: Westworld and The Handmaid’s Tale Get Renewed
HBO announced this week that its sophomore series Westworld will be returning for a third season. That show’s linear ratings are down a bit from where it ended its first year, but the premium cable channels do not rely as heavily on the Nielsen numbers to determine the success of their shows. Westworld is apparently driving enough new subscribers that it is worth it to HBO to keep it going for another year, even though it costs $10+ million per episode. Also, Hulu announced that its dystopian series The Handmaid’s Tale will be returning for a third season. That was one of the streaming service’s most watched original series in its first season and Hulu claims that viewership doubled with its second season premiere. The series also cleaned up during awards season, bringing plenty of prestige to the streaming service
In ratings results, ABC’s The Crossing slipped to a 0.5 rating based on same day viewing for the 18-49 demographic on Monday. The numbers for that show have been dropping since its debut, and it looks like it will be heading to cancellation by season end. FX’s Legion held at a 0.20 rating on Tuesday, but that is on the low side for its network. An eleventh episode has been ordered for its second season and it’s possible that could act as a series finale. On Wednesday, Syfy’s The Expanse slipped to a 0.16 rating which has it back down at marginal levels. That show continues to get plenty of good buzz among the sci fi community, though. You can keep up with the ratings results and renewal / cancellation status of your favorite sci fi and fantasy shows at at CancelledSciFi.com and the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site
Sci Fi TV Schedule: Supermansion Returns for Its Third Season, Timeless Has Its Season Finale
Not much new activity next week as most shows are currently coasting to their season finales that will hit rapid-fire starting the following week. We do have one season premiere with Crackle’s super hero parody Supermansion returning for its third season on Monday. That one will release one episode a week like it has the last two years. Also on Monday, the TBS animated series Final Space will have its season finale. On Sunday, NBC’s Timeless wraps up its second season with a two hour finale. You can see the full Spring schedule of sci fi and fantasy shows at this link and you can keep up with the weekly listings at this link.
More Sci Fi TV News
A special 90-minute cut of the 1975 Doctor Who episode “The Genesis of the Daleks” will be hitting theaters in the U.S. for one day only on June 11th.
Syfy has passed on the reboot of Tremors which would have starred Kevin Bacon. No word at this point on whether that will be shopped to other venues.
Netflix’s upcoming Sabrina the Teenage Witch series has officially been given the title The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, as expected, according to a tweet from Archie Chief Creative Officer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa.
Production on the second season of Starz’s American Gods has finally started, it was delayed due to showrunner’s Buller Fuller and Michael Green departing the series, but is looks like that one will not make it back to the small screen until 2019.
