US version Of Torchword in development!

[StCoop]

The print edition of today's Hollywood Reporter has a front page story revealing that BBC Worldwide & RTD are devolping a US version of Torchwood for Fox.

You can see the first bit of the story here but would have to be a subscriber to read the whole thing.

thr.newspaperdirect.com/epaper/viewer.aspx

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Is it a remake? Or will it fit within existing Who/Torchwood continuity (such as it is)?

 

[wamdue]

interesting, its got to be a remake, putting a US series into the new series time line is far too complicated, I wonder who would play Jack?

 

[Captain Pike]

Oh great... TW with extra posing...

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

putting a US series into the new series time line is far too complicated

Within the context of the show, there are different branches of Torchwood (in different locations), aren't there?

 

[JonathonWally]

So, I'm a guessing a rift in Brooklyn, NY, but filmed in Vancouver?

 

[wamdue]

found on Digital Spy forum

here's the full article from http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/...6102a3f94da557

Fox developing U.S. version of 'Torchwood'
Original producing team on board to adapt U.K. series
By James Hibberd

Jan 19, 2010, 10:00 AM ET

"Torchwood"

Huge news for sci-fi fans: Fox is developing a stateside version of the U.K. hit series "Torchwood."

The project is from BBC Worldwide Prods., with original series creator Russell Davies writing the script.

A more straight-faced spinoff of "Doctor Who," "Torchwood" is about a covert group that investigates and fights alien activity. Two series aired domestically on BBC America as well as last year's well reviewed stand-alone miniseries, "Children of Earth," which broke all ratings records for the network.

Unlike U.S. adaptations that have gone awry, "Torchwood" fans can take comfort that the original producing team is on board. In addition to Davies, exec producers include Davies' producing partner Julie Gardner (former head of drama at BBC Wales for the show's first season) and Jane Tranter (another BBC vet, now exec vp programming and production at BBC Worldwide Prods. in the U.S.).

Also, some of the current cast -- most likely John Barrowman, who plays the immortal Capt. Jack Harkness -- might star if Fox orders "Torchwood" to pilot.

As for the new show's plot, the U.S. version will contain a global story line compared to the more localized sensibility of the first two BBC seasons.

Tranter might try to reboot "Doctor Who" for U.S. audiences while departing "Doctor Who" star David Tennant stars in NBC's pilot "Rex Is Not Your Lawyer." "Torchwood" (which is an anagram of "Doctor Who") debuted in 2006 on BBC 3 and set ratings records, then was moved to BBC 1. Russell also reinvented "Doctor Who" in 2003 and was writer-creator of the series "Queer as Folk."

putting a US series into the new series time line is far too complicated

Within the context of the show, there are different branches of Torchwood (in different locations), aren't there?

yes there were other Torchwoods, and if you count Radio 4 audios, there is a Torchwood India, but Jack did close down that, and if I recall correctly the other international Torchwood.

If as the article suggests John Barrowman being involved, if that is the case it will end of being a Torchwood S4, but talk of global storylines worries me, that is going to impact on the BBCs part of the Whoverse. Im also kinda worried this Torchwood might end up on Sky, with all that BBC talent attached the BBC has to be an offical co-production partner for this show.

As for rebooting Who, no way in hell, that would murky the waters even if, if this US show was Torchwood S4 (like Little Britain USA) and a rebooted Who, is it even suggesting Tennant involvement?

If im honest I hope the pilot flops, and Davies takes his idea and does it as a BBC & BBC Am co production.

I dont like this at all, I will declare this an alt reality Torchwood with alt reality versions of the characters if I have to.

 

[Lindley]

Doubleyou tee fuck?

 

[Haggis and tatties]

Well i guess we now know what the US work thing was that appeared on Davies blog and was hastily removed that everybody thought was US Who movie.

 

[Chaos Descending]

I'm sorry, in all of that, this is the thing that most caught my eye.

Tranter might try to reboot "Doctor Who" for U.S. audiences

WHAT!?!??!?!?!

 

[wamdue]

I think Davies, Gardner & Tranter are letting the US go to their heads, if they think they can sell a rebooted Doctor Who to the US networks.

 

[Chaos Descending]

Well, they're going with Torchwood, and THIS American likes Doctor Who much more than Torchwood.

So, take that as you will.

 

[wamdue]

I know its never been 100% confirmed that the BBC would make a 4th series of Torchwood, but could there really be too different versions of Torchwoods running? (to be fair is that any different to the recent ITV Law & Order) even more so if John Barrowman does the US version, the BBC pretty much loses the whole show to the US.

Why wouldn't Barrowman do this series, he works with all the same people he did in the UK version, and with a much bigger pay cheque, is this really what BBCWW is meant to do? sell the format rights to UK shows to US networks at the cost of the UK show?

 

[Samurai8472]

I think Davies, Gardner & Tranter are letting the US go to their heads, if they think they can sell a rebooted Doctor Who to the US networks.

Let alone on FOX of all networks, synonymous with axing shows.

At least "Fringe" is doing okay.

 

[Deckerd]

Doubleyou tee fuck?

I laughed. I'll probably steal it.

 

[wamdue]

the quicker they axe it the less damage is done.

That said there really is no reason that when Captain Jack (played by John Barrowman) returns to earth, he lands in the US, and goes looking / bumps into the local Torchwood team. Seriously apart from Gwen what is left in Cardiff for him?

My question is, would that not make this Torchwood S4? and if so should the BBC not be involved in this?

I am not against the BBC finding a US co producer for the show, even if it meant the show was set state side, but this does not sound like that, this sounds like BBCWW has sold FOX the format, and maybe made it impossible for the BBC to make a 4th series.

 

[CommanderRaytas]

I really hate it when they do "US versions" of British shows. I mean, come on, can't they handle the vocabulary or what? It's like Life on Mars. Pathetic. It's not like Britain is a different planet.

 

[Chaos Descending]

I really hate it when they do "US versions" of British shows. I mean, come on, can't they handle the vocabulary or what? It's like Life on Mars. Pathetic. It's not like Britain is a different planet.

The difference here is that unlike Life on Mars and other shows, all of the people who made the UK version are going to be making the US version.

The distinction is astounding.

 

[wamdue]

if John Barrowman is cast, it will be hard to see this as anything other than Torchwood S4, god the BBC better have first refusal deal in place with BBCWW for this kind of sitution.

 

[StCoop]

I really hate it when they do "US versions" of British shows. I mean, come on, can't they handle the vocabulary or what? It's like Life on Mars. Pathetic. It's not like Britain is a different planet.

I take it you somehow missed the fact that this is a BBC Worldwide production?