Syfy is expanding its scripted universe: The network announced the space bounty hunter drama “Killjoys” Wednesday, and said it will develop the Frank Miller comic book series “Ronin” and the Jonathan Hickman graphic novel “Pax Romana” into shows.
It is also developing “Letter 44,” based on the graphic novels from Jonathan Mostow (“Terminator 3”) about secrets in the letters each president leaves for the next, and “Magicians,” based on Lev Grossman’s books about twentysomething New Yorkers who study magic.
Also read: Syfy Developing ‘Clone’ From ‘Walking Dead’ Creator Robert Kirkman (Exclusive)
On the unscripted front, it also plans the comedic docuseries “Town of the Living Dead,” about a community trying to make a zombie movie.
The 10-episode “Killjoys” will premiere in 2015. From the producers of “Orphan Black” (Temple Street Productions) and the creator of “Lost Girl,” Michelle Lovretta, the series follows fun-loving, hard-living bounty hunters as they chase fugitives through the Quad, a distant system on the brink of a bloody, multiplanetary class war.
“Town of the Living Dead,” a working title, visits Jasper, Alabama, which has spent six years trying to make an independent zombie movie. It comes from True Entertainment and is executive produced by Glenda Hersh, Steven Weinstock and David Stefanou. It premieres Oct. 7.
“Pax Romana” is about a Special Forces team that travels back in time on the eve of World War III to save the future by changing the past. They have to travel back as far as Ancient Rome. Matthew Federman and Stephen Scaia (“Jericho,” “Warehouse 13,” “Human Target” are writing and executive producing the project, which is co-executive produced by Hickman. “Walking Dead” veteran David Alpert of Circle of Confusion is also executive producing. It comes from Universal Cable Productions.
In “Ronin,” published by DC Entertainment, a Japanese Ronin samurai awakens in a nihilistic, futuristic New York eight centuries after failing to protect his master from a demon. He now inhabits the body of Billy, a medical experiment, and must again battle the demon. The project comes from Warner Horizon.
In “Letter 44,” the new president learns that NASA has discovered an alien construction project, and that astronauts sent to investigate have nearly reached their destination. Mostow is executive producing, writing and directing. Other executive producers include Eric Gitter and Peter Schwerinfrom Closed on Mondays, as well as Renee Echevarria. It comes from Universal Television and Universal Cable Productions.
“Magicians,” based on Grossman’s series “The Magicians,” follows New Yorkers who discover that the magical fantasy world they read about as children is real, and and poses a grave threat to Earth. It is written and executive produced by Sera Gamble and John McNamara, and executive produced by Michael London. Universal Cable Productions is the studio.
The network also told TheWrap Tuesday that it is developing the new drama “Clone” from “The Walking Dead” creator Robert Kirkman. The network additionally announced that it plans a third “Sharknado” movie and a six-hour event series, “Ascension,” starring “Battleship Galactica” star Tricia Helfer.