In recent years, TV networks have adapted popular movies with compelling concepts to new drama or comedy series -- with various levels of success. While shows like Rush Hour, Damien, and Minority Report failed to find audiences, others such as Westworld, Fargo, Bates Motel, Scream, and Ash vs Evil Dead prove there is success to be found in adapting movies to the small screen.
Another recently announced movie-to-TV adaptation is of Joon-ho Bong's 2013 science fiction thriller, Snowpiercer. A television drama based on the film was recently reported to be in development from Tomorrow Studios and Josh Friedman (Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles), with Bong attached as an executive producer. Now, Snowpiercer takes one step closer to making the jump from film to television.
Deadline is reporting TNT has ordered Snowpiercer to pilot, with Tomorrow Studios co-producing the project; this is the third project on which TNT has teamed with Tomorrow Studios, following Good Behavior and the forthcoming Let the Right One In series. Friedman will serve as writer, executive producer, and showrunner. Additionally, Bong and original film producers Park Chan-wook and Lee Tae-hunand Dooho Choi are on board as executive producers.
TNT's Executive Vice President of original programming Sarah Aubrey said of the project:
Snowpiercer has one of the most original concepts to hit the screen in the last decade, and it’s one that offers numerous opportunities for deeper exploration in a series format. We look forward to expanding TNT’s relationship with Tomorrow Studios and their take on a world where humanity is pushed to the extreme.
Based on the French graphic novel Le Transperceneige from Jacques Lob, Benjamin Legrand, and Jean-Marc Rochette, Snowpiercer is set in a dystopian future wherein the Earth has frozen over and the remaining human population is relegated to a constantly moving train. However, when the lowest classes on the train are pushed too far, one man leads a revolt against the upper classes of humankind in an effort to take control of the train's engine.
Starring Chris Evans, Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell, Song Kang-ho, Go Ah-sung, Octavia Spencer, and Ed Harris, the 2013 film received widespread critical acclaim. Additionally, despite a limited theatrical release in the United States, Snowpiercer earned $86.7 million at the worldwide box office. Certainly, given the reception of the movie and the story's compelling concept, Snowpiercer seems primed to make a successful leap from film to TV.
That said, the Snowpiercer show is still only in the pilot stages, and will need to be ordered to series before fans get a chance to see how the occupants of the train fare in a more long-form live-action story setting. Still, considering the creative team involved in the TV series, including Friedman and Bong, TNT could prove to find success with its television adaptation of Snowpiercer.
Next: 10 Scariest Post-Apocalyptic Scenarios
We’ll bring you more information on the Snowpiercer TV series as it becomes available.
Source: Deadline