sf/f TV development news - 2013

[cal888]

Didn't see this one mentioned yet that Deadline reported on from Michele Fazekas & Tara Butters (Reaper, Dollhouse).

At the CW, ICM-repped Fazekas and Butters have an untitled Alien Bounty Hunter project, about a young woman who, on the first day of her new job, discovers that the cosmetics company for which she is working is actually a cover business for a secret governmental project that monitors alien activity on Earth. With its high-concept and a supernatural theme, the project is reminiscent of the duo’s cult CW dramedy Reaper, which was produced by ABC Studios. It also reunites several key Reaper auspices: creators/showrunners Fazekas and Butters; CW president Mark Pedowitz, who oversaw the series as president of ABC Studios; and CW’s EVP development Thom Sherman, who developed the show at the CW.

[Greg Cox]

Isn't DEADMAN in development too?

(I can't believe we live in an era in which both Deadman and the Spectre have tv deals. Somewhere the Phantom Stranger is phoning his agent . . . .)

[Vendikarr]

Greg Cox wrote:

---

(I can't believe we live in an era in which both Deadman and the Spectre have tv deals. Somewhere the Phantom Stranger is phoning his agent . . . .)

Which would make a funny short on Adult Swim.

[Out Of My Vulcan Mind]

Greg Cox wrote:

---

Isn't DEADMAN in development too?

Yeah, it's in development at the CW. I didn't notice it missing from the OP's list.

[jefferiestubes8]

SyFy has a project in development of interest:
The Adjustment Bureau adaptation to series in development for SyFy

the use of portals being the scifi plot device.

[Temis the Vorta]

Thanks, everyone, keep em coming! I'll create an updated master list, because, I dunno, it's fun.

Deadman actually is listed at The Futon Critic, I just overlooked it.

small screen take on the dc Comics hero, the spirit of a murdered man who lives on as he inhabits other people's bodies and helps them solve crises in their own live

[Christopher]

So between Deadman and Source Code, that's two projects in development that are probably being pitched via comparisons to Quantum Leap.

[Temis the Vorta]

The total now stands at 20 for Sci Fi and 21 for Fantasy/Supernatural/Horror.

[USS Kongo]

I really enjoyed the Source Code film, but I'm afraid they'll just water down (and ruin) the concept for TV. Everything else on that list is just "meh" for me. I sorely miss space-based SF shows, as well.

Sean

[CorporalCaptain]

Source Code was an excellent movie. I'll watch the series pilot, but I'm not hopeful.

[Venardhi]

"The Magicians" could be great if they get a really sharp team on it. While it isn't an easy adaptation, it isn't a particularly hard one either and one can assume they'll be taking the basic premise and running pretty wild with it, using mostly the middle of the book where they've all graduated from Brakebills and are enjoying all the perks that magic and the modern world can provide.

Basically: What does Harry Potter do after Hogwarts, if Harry Potter were a manic depressive genius surrounded by equally damaged magical geniuses?

The rest of the book is a bit too plot-driven to turn into an ongoing storyline, not to mention expensive as hell(and too quirky for primetime) once you start including talking bears, giant ram gods, a generic version of Narnia, etc.

In any case, I doubt it'll get past the early development stages.

[The Green Mushroom]

Defiance (SyFy) – This. Will. Not. End. Well.

Hyde orJeckyll & Hyde (ABC) - One of them could work.

The Last Resort (ABC) I like it. A lot. Which means it has almost no chance of making it out of its first season, even if it gets that far.

Pandemic (FOX) - Could work as an arc driven show, but will be tired and cliched as a paint by numbers procedural.

Powers (FX) - I like it.

Source Code (CBS) - I like the premise but never saw the movie. It could work. Was the movie any good?


Untitled Frankenstein Project (NBC) - I find it interesting

Untitled Fun with DNA Project (ABC) - drama about a genetic scientist who uses his Newfound discovery that he has the psychopath gene to help the FBI catch killers.

When I first read this, I thought it was about a Newfie mad scientist.

Zero Hour (HBO) – Just what we need, Da Vinci Code dribble on TV

American Gods (HBO) – Yes please

Bewitched (CBS) -Why?

Haunted (ABC) - Didn't we already have two or three series just like this?

Pillars of Smoke (NBC) - Sounds like it could make a decent movie, but I can't see it being successfully drawn out over a season or more.

Sleepers (CBS) - Been there. Done that.

Under the Dome (Showtime) – Yes please.

Untitled Ghost Hunters Project (TNT) - Ghost Busters meets CSI? I find it oddly appealing.

Untitled I See Dead People Project (CBS) - Been there. Done that. On this very list too.

Untitled More Weird Shit in British Columbia Forests Project (TNT) - Can we keep the title?

The Watchers (ABC) - "I'd give up forever to touch you..."

Cosmos (FOX) - Is this the one that Seth MacFarlane is somehow attached to?

Some of them I like. Some of them I think are awful. Some are so pointless that I won't even bother mentioning them. it does give me hope, but I am still realistic enough to know that most will go nowhere, most of the rest won't make it to series, most of those that get to series will be gone by November sweeps.

Like (at least based on the premise, bring in Braga and I will hate it like a chili pepper enema)--The Last Resort, Powers, American Gods, Pillars of Smoke, Under the Dome, CSI: Ectoplasm and Stewie Griffin Presents: Cosmos

Could Like (again just based on the premise, in theory anything could be surprisingly good and capture my attention, even a new godforsaken reality snorefest): Hyde, Pandemic, Source Code, Frankenstein

[Kegg]

The Green Mushroom wrote:

---

Source Code (CBS) - I like the premise but never saw the movie. It could work. Was the movie any good?

Movie's fantastic. Duncan Jones, who directed Source Code and Moon (a nice double whammy sci-fi bill, that) has nothing to do with this series though.

[Temis the Vorta]

Cosmos (FOX) - Is this the one that Seth MacFarlane is somehow attached to?

Yes, weirdly.

[Kegg]

Temis the Bleeding Aorta wrote:

---

Yes, weirdly.

And this improbably cool astrophysicist as the host, which seems smart.