Deadline reported this morning that Syfy — the cable network best known for original B-movies that feature dangerous, occasionally cross-bred predators feasting in creative ways on stars of the stage and screen from the early-to-mid ’90s — is now developing an original series based on 12 Monkeys, the 1995 film starring Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt.
The 60-minute pilot, produced by Universal Cable Prods and Atlas Entertainment, was written on spec by Terry Matalas and Travis Fickett (Terra Nova). It follows the journey of a time traveler from the post-apocalyptic future who appears in present day on a mission to locate and eradicate the source of a deadly plague that will eventually decimate the human race. Filming is tentatively slated to begin in November.
The funniest thing about this is that the plot of 12 Monkeys, which, again, involves traveling through time to nip a potentially life-ending virus in the bud, sounds almost too tame for Syfy. Like, this is the same network that decided to remake The Wizard of Oz as a post-apocalyptic miniseries where Dorothy is a male warrior who is sent to the future to defeat “a despotic wizard.” If their version of 12 Monkeys doesn’t feature 12 actual monkeys — super-smart ones in lab coats and/or expensive suits — pulling the strings on the whole operation, I will be inconsolable. IT’S RIGHT THERE IN FRONT OF YOUR FACES.
More importantly, though, Syfy making shows based on futuristic ’90s action movies brings us one step closer to my dream of a Demolition Man TV series starring Freddie Prinze, Jr. and Coolio. It’ll happen. Just you wait.
