SciFi/Fantasy/Horror TV Shows in Development

[prydain]

CBS

Jericho
-a high-concept soap about a small town in kansas that's dealing with life after a series of nuclear attacks destroys most of america's big cities

Orpheus (not sure if this is genre or not)
-drama about a young man whose girlfriend is involved in a sophisticated, modern-day cult and draws him to it

The Way
-drama about a new england family that copes with the death of the powerful clan's matriarch by using witchcraft to hurt their rivals and build a successful business empire

Ultra
-drama based on the image comics property of the same name, about pearl penalosa, a single city-girl superhero balancing the demands of greatness with her love life and social calendar

NBC


Heroes
-described as a reality-bending, large ensemble drama about a group of seemingly everyday people who discover that they have superpowers

Seeing Red (aka Raines)
-drama about an eccentric, brilliant cop who talks to dead victims that help him solve his cases

Sky
- The potential series revolves around a politician who is murdered but is given a chance to come back to the physical world in order to save his soul. This time, he's at a much lower stage in life.


FOX


ABC

The CW

Palm Springs (formerly The Untitled Kevin Williamson Project)
-coming-of-age drama about a troubled teen who moves to a gated community in palm springs where he uncovers some dark secrets

Untitled Aquaman Project
-small screen take on the dc comics hero aquaman in the same spirit of "smallville" (but not a spin-off) about arthur curry (will toale), the twentysomething owner of a dive shop who's actually the lost king of atlantis

Comedy Central

Freak Show
-David Cross ("Arrested Development," "Mr. Show") and Jon Benjamin ("Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist," "Home Movies") bring viewers this animated show about a band of freak show performers who also happen to be second-rate superheroes. When the world-famous justice squad rejects a mission from the government, the freak squad is on the case. Siamese twins Tuck and Benny, The World's Tallest Nebraskan, Primi the Premature Baby, The Bearded Clam and The Log Cabin Republican face off against some of the world's most notorious second-rate villains.

Ghost Foot
-In a violent, futuristic world, a magical hero will arise to fight evil wherever it is found. And we would love to bring you that story. But because of budgetary restraints and a bitter legal dispute, we cannot. So instead, COMEDY CENTRAL is bringing you the much more reasonably-priced "Ghost Foot" and his "Way of the Anime." Written and created by Steve Kerper (HBO's "Hard Core TV"), this parody of Japanese action cartoons (or "anime") promises convoluted storylines, hyper-violent battle scenes and, of course, a magic foot.


HBO

Lifetime


Sci Fi Channel


The Dresden Files
-(from Sci Fi's press release) SCI FI Channel has cast Paul Blackthorne (24, Presidio Med) to star as Chicago-based wizard and detective Harry Dresden in The Dresden Files. Director David Carson (Star Trek: Generations) has been tapped to helm the project. Production on the two-hour backdoor pilot film is set to commence in Toronto later this month, with plans for a Summer 2006 premiere.


Spike

Amped
-From the executive producers of "The X-Files," Frank Spotnitz and Vince Gilligan, the show is set in present day Los Angeles where police confront a mysterious outbreak that has genetically altered some citizens with often violent and disturbing consequences. Everyday citizens and family members must confront each other as the outbreak advances in their community.

Blade
-Spike TV is set to bring "Blade," one of Hollywood's most successful theatrical franchises, to television. The "Blade" trilogy, which has earned more than $400 million worldwide, will be adapted into a two-hour original drama that marks the network's first foray into scripted entertainment. Produced by New Line Television, "Blade" premieres on Spike TV in June 2006.

(Last updated on 1-30-06)

[Anita Blake]

Wow, a lot of those sound interesting but I'm really looking forward to Heroes and Midnighters. Those both sound very awesome, especially Midnighters.

[Black Eye Guy]

Yeah I like the sound of Heroes!

[Allycat]

"Afro Samurai" ... Hahaha!

Anyway, a Blade series... surely, Wesley Snipes isn't moving to the small screen?

[prydain]

Nope Wesley Snipes is being replaced. But I think the creator of the movies is doing the TV series...so fans of the movies won't be disappointed with the writing, I think.

[Allycat]

Hmm, that may be good, maybe ;) ... do you know whether Ryan Reynolds is gonna be involved ;) cause that'd take away all my scepticism.

EDIT: Found some screencaps from the Pilot.


http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0512/12/blade1.jpg (http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0512/12/blade1.htm)

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0512/12/blade2.jpg (http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0512/12/blade2.htm)

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0512/12/blade3.jpg (http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0512/12/blade3.htm)

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0512/12/blade4.jpg (http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0512/12/blade4.htm)

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0512/12/blade5.jpg (http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0512/12/blade5.htm)

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0512/12/blade6.jpg (http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0512/12/blade6.htm)

http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0512/12/blade7.jpg (http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0512/12/blade7.htm)

source: www.comicscontinuum.com

[prydain]

Cool. Thanks for those.

[Old Master]

Thanks for the list, Prydain. I love stuff like that. A lot of them sound promising.

And thanks Allycat, for the pics. But ya know, I don't know if the writing for "Blade" is gonna make much difference here, because they cast a friggin' rapper in the role. I guess they couldn't afford a real actor. Really, really hoping the show doesn't suck.

[prydain]

Yeah I hope it's good.

Speaking of Blade, I bought the first one for $5 yesterday. :D

[Vilandra]

I want that show to be good so badly lol

[prydain]

REVISION (FOX) - "The 4,400" co-creator Scott Peters has inked a six-figure, two-script deal with Touchstone Television. The first project out of the deal has already been set up at FOX with Warren Littlefield attached to executive produce. Said project, entitled "Revision," is described as a time-travel themed drama about a man who finds himself returning to the past in order to prevent disaster in the future. As for plot specifics, the hour will focus on a government special ops agent named David Guthrie, who's recruited to head time travel missions after an incident forces the fed to use the time travel technology. In addition, Peters - who will write the pilot script and executive produce - noted a conspiracy subplot will run throughout the series.

[goldenboy]

Man, a lot of FOX projects in the works. Is it FOX Studios developing this stuff to show on all kinds of channels or is it for the FOX network specifically? FOX the network seems allergic to sci-fi in general (what with the giant bitchslap they gave to Firefly...and X-Files seems so, so long ago now...)

[Vilandra]

20th Century Fox is it's own production company (they made Buffy and Angel), which is seperate than the network. :)

[goldenboy]

Yeah, see, that's always something I wonder about. I've heard that there were, at one point, restictions with Networks showing their film studio cousins' products—FOX couldn't show FOX Studios output, no Paramount Studios product for UPN, but that regulation no longer applies, not really sure...

[prydain]

Really? FOX has tons of shows produced by 20th Century Fox.

[prydain]

PEN AND THE SWORD/WAREHOUSE 13 (NBC/Sci Fi) - Additional details have been revealed about NBC's "Pen and the Sword" and Sci Fi's "Warehouse 13," Ronald D. Moore's two new projects set up as part of his recently inked two-year overall deal with NBC Universal Television (read the story). "Pen" reportedly revolves around a young man at a temp agency who comes to realize the building he works in is a portal to a sort of medieval alternate reality. Said project would then follow the man as he slides between worlds, trying to unravel the connection between the two (verbal spats between colleagues in one dimension are sword fights in the other) as well as how his late father relates to the office. As for "13," the cable project concerns a pair of government officials banished to a storage facility in North Dakota where they spend their days cataloguing artifacts and other odds and ends collected by the government over the years, unknowingly pulling them into fantastic and supernatural quests each week. Moore is executive producing both projects, penning the former and Brent Mote ("Atomic Train") writing the latter.

Orpheus
About a cult.

New Mexico
From writer Julie Hebert ("ER") and producer Brooke Kennedy ("Numb3rs"), about a town in New Mexico where technology meets spirituality.

[Vilandra]

I'd love to see a Timeline tv show, speaking of Pen and the Sword.

[prydain]

You mean based on that movie Timeline?

[Vilandra]

Yup. Or the book, which is different.

:)

[prydain]

Haven't seen the movie. Didn't know there was a book. I just saw the DVD at Wal-Mart, lol.

[Vilandra]

It's a Michael Crichton book.

:)

[Old Master]

I'd love to see a Timeline tv show, speaking of Pen and the Sword.

Without Gerard Butler? How would you ever manage to sit through the series? :p;)

Anyhoo...I'm loving these lists. Next fall can't get here soon enough....

[prydain]

I'd give you reputation but I've given too much in 24 hrs. lol

So much for Christmas spirit. :(

[prydain]

I did some more research in Scarlett. Lifetime is developing it to change their image, and they want shows men will watch with their wives, lol.

I was worried it had been dropped, but apparently it hasn't. It's about a writer who writes horror novels about vampires, witches, voodoo, and all these other things, and she moves into a gothic Louisiana mansion and soon believes that the things she writes about are coming to life...

It sounds TOTALLY awesome! I can't believe I'd say that about something from Lifetime of all things but if it's done right, it could be a huge favorite of mine.

[prydain]

Yes! Another development update from Scarlett. Sounds like the pilot will air next year:

From the creator guy:

Sweeeeeet. SCARLETT is almost done. We've got our network notes and we're getting ready to "lock picture" (meaning that the actual cuts will be set in stone and we'll start dropping in and locking FX and music and sound and such).

Most of our final changes at this point will involve the music. Changing a song here and there, adding new cues, etc.

Hans and I are very pleased with how the cut ended up. We've gotten positive feedback from the network. As with all their pilots, Lifetime is going to test it with sample audiences in January and see if they feel the love.

I'd just like to take this opportunity to thank:

Our amazing cast: Rebecca, Kris, Nick, Niki, Lyndsy, Michael, and Martin.

Our unbelievably cool line producer, Bill Hill, who got us all out of NOLA safely before Katrina hit then remounted the entire producer in Natchitoches two months later. A truely Herculean effort.

Our assured director: Steven Miner

Our very talented department heads, including DP Ed Pei, Production Designer Randy Ser, and Costume Designer Debrae Little and our amazing crew and dedicated office staff. You guys rock!

Our wonderful editor: Pat Bubba and his assistant Sherry.

Our amazing assistant, Elizabeth.

All the great and supportive people at Lions Gate, Cheyenne, and Lifetime including Kevin Beggs, Ally Lattman, and Andy Richley, Arnold Rifkin and Martha Haight, Theresa Edy, Brian Wright, and especially Susanne Daniels who supported the project even though she'd inherited it, gave us terrific guidance and notes and really helped us focus and hone the final product.

And finally to the wonderful people of New Orleans and Natchitoches, who embraced us in our travels. Special thanks to Wayne McCullen, mayor of Natchitoches, who showed us the true meaning of Southern Hospitality and to the staff and owners of the Jelly Roll Suites in New Orleans and the Church Street Inn in Natchitoches, our homes away from home.

If you're considering a vacation in the South and want to experience some real southern charm, spend a weekend in Natchitoches. You won't be disappointed.

Now it's off to the testing races. Wish us luck!

Robert


PS There are like 100 other people whose names I probably should've included in this post. Please forgive any errors and omissions. Hans and I love you all.

Sorry guys but I am extremely excited about this one.

[prydain]

The Gift (The WB):

Feature writers Oliver Butcher and Stephen Cornwell ("The Yakuza") have booked a script order at the WB for a new drama about a college freshman who discovers she has special psychic powers. The project is set up at the NBC Universal Television-based Hypnotic banner with its principals Doug Liman and Dave Bartis attached to executive produce along with Butcher and Cornwell.

UNTITLED ADAM BRODY/NATALIE CHAIDEZ PROJECT (NBC):

"The O.C." star Adam Brody is set to team with writer/producer Natalie Chaidez ("Skin") for a potential new drama series about a world overrun by vampires. The project, which Brody will executive produce but not star in, revolves around a rookie cop who joins a special unit of the L.A.P.D. that tracks the vampire population. NBC has given a script order to the untitled hour, which is set up at Doug Liman and Dave Bartis's NBC Universal Television-based Hypnotic banner. Chaidez will pen the pilot script based on Brody's story.

BTW - I will put these in the first post soon but I am going to re-edit the whole thing to make it neater, and it will take a while.

[prydain]

Updated just now, added CBS' Jericho. :)

[prydain]

Yet another update. NBC has ordered a pilot called Seeing Red about a cop who talks to dead victims. Um...does anyone remember Haunted? :) Or Tru Calling? Or Medium? Or The Others?

[prydain]

Today's update:

Sci Fi Channel is developing The Butterfly Effect, based on the movie(s), The Bridge, a dramedy about souls in purgatory, and Warehouse 13, about government agents who work in a warehouse full of weird artifacts, ranging from the supernatural to alien-type stuff.

[prydain]

OK, I updated the first post. It now is completely up to date and more comprehensible, and sorted by network. :) Hope you enjoy it.

[goldenboy]

Today's update:

Sci Fi Channel is developing Warehouse 13, about government agents who work in a warehouse full of weird artifacts, ranging from the supernatural to alien-type stuff.

That sounds like a premise built around the last scene in Raiders of the Lost Ark—that massive government warehouse...itself a nod to Citizen Kane...

Found a neat site about movie "borrowings", tributes...

http://www.nerf-herders-anonymous.net/ReverseReferences.html

[Vilandra]

Maybe so, but I always wanted to get a look inside that warehouse in Raiders lol

[prydain]

Oh, I don't know if I ever listed which shows sounded the best:

Jericho
All of the NBC shows: Fables, For Pete's Sake, Heroes, The Last Generation, Meet the Haunteds, The Pen and the Sword, Seeing Red, Brody Project, and Fresco Project (Well...all except Tomorrow/Today, which sounds dull.)
Bound
Kill Switch
Evil
Untitled Kevin Williamsom Project
Cult
Midnighters
Ghost Foot
Scarlett (i'll be pissed if this doesn't get picked up)
Warehouse 13
Amped
Blade

That's a lot, I know. lol

[goldenboy]

Maybe so, but I always wanted to get a look inside that warehouse in Raiders lol

I agree, sounds like a lot of fun...

[prydain]

OK, I updated again. I added some new shows for CBS and NBC, and I put the name for the untitled kevin williamson project, now called "Palm Springs", and I merged the sections for UPN and The WB to The CW. :)

[prydain]

Updated once more...sadly to say, to delete over half of the shows from the list. :(

Eh, TV sucks.

[Kathryn Merteuil]

Oh my stars, thats a lot of Sci- Fi absed shows, might just have to watch them all because they all sound awesome.

[goldenboy]

Lost will remain in the anchor spot for the network with the action-packed Traveler a virtual lock to air in the coveted post-Lost time period. Invasion and Freddie are not expected to return, although George Lopez may get an additional season.

http://tvdramas.about.com/od/tvshowsaz/a/jimabcpreview.htm

What the heck is Traveler? I can't find a thing about it on the Net. Wonder if it's genre-related...


[edit]

Ah, OK. Sounds like a 24ish show. If Nutter's involved, it could be really good.

Traveler David Nutter thriller about three graduate students who become wrapped up in a national security emergency after one frames the other two for blowing up a landmark building in New York.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/television/feature_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002315675

[prydain]

That first article is B.S. Freddie is VERY likely to make it to a season two. It does better than George Lopez. And ABC told TV Guide there is a good chance "Invasion" will return as well. However, if it does it will be on a new night.

Traveler sounds good, I've been looking forward to it.