Small screen invasion
Hollywoods penchant for recycling material has spawned a wealth of successful franchises, remakes and reboots. After all, the idea of creating a property based on a previously-existing concept is so appealing because it comes complete with a built-in audience. One of the latest trends to swell from that idea is the movie-to-TV adaptation. The small screen format undoubtedly allows for deeper character development and slow-burning plots that execs are hoping will ensure solid ratings.
In recent months, every major US network has snapped up rights, commissioned pilots and given the greenlight to numerous TV series spinoffs based on previously-existing movies. You name it - its probably being developed at this very moment...
Problem Child (1990)
The Movie: A ginger Dennis The Menace-type is adopted by John Ritter and his wife, who soon realise their new son, Junior, is an absolute terror with one of the most irritating faces ever captured on film.
The TV Show: NBC are swooping in to turn this kid-friendly comedy into a weekly single-camera caper, from the pen of The Hangover and Old School scribe Scot Armstrong.
Why Were Excited: Ordinarily, we might not be, as Problem Child was one of those strangely popular 90s flicks that hasnt aged well, but theres a chance Armstrong will peter out the annoyances and rev up the childish chuckles.
Marley And Me (2008)
The Movie: Based on the memoir by John Grogan, the 2008 family flick placed a loveable pooch at its centre as Owen Wilson and Jennifer Anistons life is chronicled through their relationship with dog, Marley.
The TV Show: The NBC sequel show has original director David Frankel signed on to lens the pilot, that will catch up with the Grogans after they relocate to Florida and inherit an adorable puppy from the next-door neighbours. Seeing as theyve got a stack of Marley-inscribed pet paraphernalia, the pup is saddled with the same name and so begins another bout of dog-fuelled antics.
Why Were Excited: Set to pen the series is Emmy award-winning writer Jenny Bicks, whose sassy scribbles brought pep to Sex And The City and The Big C.
Monster-In-Law (2005)
The Movie: Jennifer Lopezs soon-to-be-bride finds herself at loggerheads with her meddlesome mother-in-law, played by Jane Fonda, in the run up to her wedding.
The TV Show: 30 Rock writer Jon Riggi and The Carrie Diaries Amy B. Harris are in line to write this loosely inspired spinoff for Warner Bros. TV, who are developing the series at Fox. A slight twist in the story will find the couple battling the perils of parenthood and an interfering mother-in-law for this multi-camera sitcom.
Why Were Excited: The Lopez/Fonda offering might not have been to everyones tastes, but the show looks primed to instil the setup with some serious laughs courtesy of Riggi and Harris.
In Good Company (2004)
The Movie: The 2004 comedy starred Dennis Quaid as a middle-aged ad executive forced to work for a much younger boss who is also dating his daughter.
The TV Show: In development at CBS from original co-director and writer John Weitz, Happy Endings scribes Josh Bycel and Jon Fenner are also aboard this small screen reboot which will trace the same storyline in a hybrid of both multi and single camera format.
Why Were Excited: The kings of the modern sitcom, Bycel and Fenner, ought to amp up the run-of-the-mill premise into a very funny affair.
Real Genius (1985)
The Movie: This 1985 college campus comedy starring Val Kilmer as a slacker genius who partners up with a studious nerd to create a high-tech laser has since gone on to become a cult classic.
The TV Show: Adam Sandlers production arm, Happy Madison, have been tapped by NBC to recreate the overall tone of the original in this inspired-by TV adaptation. Instead of a school setting, the story this time will unravel in a workplace environment about a boisterous savant and his reserved co-worker.
Why Were Excited: On board to pen the pilot are Parks And Recreations David King and Craig DeGregorio - this pair know how to craft original, funny sitcoms.
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013)
The Movie: A young adult adaptation of Cassandras Clare first novel, The Mortal Instruments: City Of Bones, follows Lily Collins tough teen into an alternate New York City to battle ancient demons.
The TV Show: After the first instalment in the planned trilogy failed to make a splash, Constantin Films enlisted Helix producer Ed Decter as showrunner for the follow-up TV series. Set to begin production next year, the story will pick up where the first movie left off, continuing the tale of a youngster who discovers she hails from warrior ancestry.
Why Were Excited: Clares series of novels are an impressive entry into the young adult literary canon. The scope was barely touched upon in the original feature, so perhaps the finer details will have chance to flourish in the small screen format.
Resident Evil (2002-)
The Movie: Based on the popular Capcom video game, Paul W.S. Andersons zombie action franchise spawned an ass-kickin heroine in Milla Jovovichs Alice. The boot clad badass vows to take down the evil Umbrella corporation who unleash an undead virus.
The TV Show: German production outfit, Constantin Films unveiled the project earlier this year. However, we wont see the TV spinoff for some time. The final film, Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, is set to begin production next summer and as the serial takes place after the events of the concluding chapter we could be in for a bit of wait.
Why Were Excited: Unlike The Walking Dead that hones in on the character impact, this effort could stick to the movie style and adopt an action-packed slant on the undead phenomenon.
School Of Rock (2003)
The Movie: Richard Linklaters musical comedy wowed critics and audiences back in 2003. Netting $131 million worldwide, it told the story of a class of prep school kids who learn how to rock by musician-turned-substitute teacher, Dewey Finn (Jack Black.)
The TV Show: The long-rumoured sequel will bow on Nickelodeon as a thirteen episode series with Linklater and Scott Rudin serving as executive producers, and Jim and Steve Armogida (My Family) set as showrunners. Slated to debut in spring 2015, it will closely follow the same story with Tony Cavalero (The Hart Of Dixie) in the role of headbanger, Dewey.
Why Were Excited: Linklaters involvement means we might get the chance once a week to sing riotously Well youre not hardcore, unless you live hardcore!
Lemony Snickets A Series Of Unfortunate Events (2004)
The Movie: Based on the immensely popular childrens book series by Daniel Handler (under the guise of Lemony Snicket) the 2004 adaptation follows the story of three orphaned children who are at the mercy of the bonkers Count Olaf, played to perfection by Jim Carrey.
The TV Show: Netflix are fast-tracking the series to join their steadily-mounting roster of titles. Paramount, who oversaw the movie, will work alongside the streaming giant to bring a fresh lease of life to Handers thirteen-book series. Theres as yet no news on when it will debut, as the hunt is currently on for a director.
Why Were Excited: Netflixs reputation for solid original content suggests this will be a family-friendly frolic that will appeal to adults just as much as it will to kids. Hurrah!
Hitch (2005)
The Movie: Will Smith led this rom-com as a professional dating consultant who advises clueless men on how to attract women while he himself battles with the same problem. Director Andy Tennants 2005 flick netted a cool $370 million worldwide, making a sequel inevitable.
The TV Show: The third attempt at reviving Hitch for the small screen has Smith back to executive produce the show for Fox. Tasked with writing the half-hour, single camera series are Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont (Josie And The Pussycats).
Why Were Excited: The premise lends itself perfectly to a hapless chap of the week format.
Shooter (2007)
The Movie: Mark Wahlberg headed up Antoine Fuquas 2007 actioner as an American sniper trained in counter intelligence who goes on the run after being framed for murder.
The TV Show: Wahlberg is shacking up with Paramount TV to develop this series for TNT. The Shield and Underworld: Awakening scribe, John Hlavin, will adapt from the original source material, Stephen Hunters novel Point Of Impact.
Why Were Excited: Sounds kinda like a Bourne-esque serial thats got serious potential to keep viewers tuning in week after week.
Bachelor Party (1984)
The Movie: Over the course of his stag do, Tom Hanks upstanding chappie must practice self-restraint as his buddies will do anything it takes to see him cheat on his fiancee. This raunchfest includes all the classic staples of an 80s sex comedy; Tawny Kitaen, loads of nudity and a donkey snorting coke. Brilliant.
The TV Show: New Girl scribes J.J. Philbin and Josh Malmuth have been tasked with developing this loosely inspired show for ABC. Capitalising on one of TVs biggest trends right now - the anthology format - every season will revolve around a different wedding party. The drama, pitfalls and silliness that ensue during modern day bachelor/bachelorette parties will be the focal point of the half-hour comedy.
Why Were Excited: While it definitely sounds more like an entirely new concept than a spinoff of the Hanks hit, it should be a witty update on the same topic. Particularly as were hoping Philbin and Malmuth can sweet talk Zooey Deschanel into making a cameo...
Rush Hour (1998-2007)
The Movie: The antics of Chris Tuckers fast-talkin LAPD detective and Jackie Chans stuffy Hong Kong cop spawned a trilogy that netted $845 million worldwide, making it the first big-budget blockbuster effort from Brett Ratner.
The TV Show: Warner Bros. are in cahoots with Doozer Productions to serialise the slapstick antics into a string of hour-long episodes. Storywise, itll stick pretty closely to the original premise with an odd couple at loggerheads who must work together.
Why Were Excited: Doozer is the banner for Scrubs and Cougar Town creator Bill Lawrence - that suggests this wont be your bog standard recycled story. Expect big laughs through the zany lens of clever comedy.
Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (2009)
The Movie: The LEGO Movies Phil Lord and Chris Miller charged out of the gate with their CG-animation family flick about a madcap inventor Flint Lockwood, who designs a device intended to transform water into food.
The TV Show: The company behind the upcoming Paddington feature, DHX Media, nabbed the rights to Cloudy and are developing a prequel series in conjunction with Sony Animation. Already pegged for 26 episodes running at 22 minutes each, it will follow Lockwoods antics as a teenager with a roster of familiar faces set to make regular appearances.
Why Were Excited: Sadly, Lord and Miller are absent from the small screen iteration, but the storys charm and DHXs mad skills have got us hooked.
Big (1988)
The Movie: Penny Marshalls fantasy comedy follows an adolescent who wishes to be a grown-up, only to find out the next morning hes transformed into a 30-year old Tom Hanks.
The TV Show: Foxs gurus are putting this spinoff into development from executive producers Kevin Biegel (Cougar Town) and Mike Royce (Men Of A Certain Age). Slated to be loosely based on the original, the half-hour comedy will be penned by the duo for an ongoing event series that will roll out a smaller number of episodes per season than the typical 22.
Why Were Excited: It stems from the brains of Enlisted duo Biegel and Royce. Need we say more?
The Devils Advocate (1997)
The Movie: Taylor Hackfords 1997 thriller tells the story of southern public defender Kevin Lomax (Keanu Reeves) who relocates to New York City with his wife (Charlize Theron) to take a job at a prestigious law firm run by John Milton (Al Pacino.) The sting in the tale comes when Lomax realises Milton is actually Satan.
The TV Show: Warner Bros. TV are putting the wheels in motion for NBC with returning producer Arnold Kopelson joining forces with Shameless producer John Wells for this small screen adaptation. At the keys to pen the series is noted horror screenwriter, Matt Venne, thats set to follow a similar premise.
Why Were Excited: The legal procedural drama is showing no signs of waning, so throwing Beelzebub into the mix might spice up the tired format with a dose of the supernatural.
In The Heat Of The Night (1967)
The Movie: The 1967 Oscar winner for Best Picture told the story of a divided Southern town through the experiences of Sidney Poitiers detective during the Civil Rights Movement.
The TV Show: This is the second attempt to kickstart a TV spinoff of Norman Jewisons classic after NBCs failed go in the 80s. Set to explore the issues of race and character in modern day Mississippi, this newest version is heading to cable on Showtime with Tate Taylor (The Help) attached to direct.
Why Were Excited: Weve got our fingers crossed that Mister Tibbs himself might make a cameo...
American Gigolo (1980)
The Movie: American Gigolo saw Richard Geres lothario engage in a bout of steamy shenanigans as his male escort is drawn into a LAPD murder investigation.
The TV Show: Jerry Bruckheimer is at the helm once more to co-produce a small screen reimagining alongside Paramount TV, that will adopt the films signature noir style in the serial format.
Why Were Excited: The day-to-day trivialities of a gigolo repurposed into a weekly procedural, complete with Bruckheimers amped-up stylings, gives this show all the hallmarks of a classic in the making.
Uncle Buck (1989)
The Movie: John Hughes classic comedy pits John Candys larger-than-life layabout Buck Russell against a trio of tiny terrors - his brothers kids. Tasked with babysitting while juggling his own life pursuits leads to a ton of hilarious set-ups that still evoke hearty chuckles to this day.
The TV Show: Despite having previously floundered as a TV adaptation in the early 1990s, ABC is steamrolling ahead with a multi-camera sitcom based on the same premise. Ride Along producer Will Packer is spearheading the project, with Steven Cragg and Craig Bradley set to script the series.
Why Were Excited: Cragg and Bradleys involvement (their canceled show Happy Endings is sorely underrated) means we could be in store for more giant pancakes, amateur dentistry and birthday clowns getting punched.
Limitless (2011)
The Movie: A sci-fi flick based on Alan Glynns novel The Dark Fields, Limitless follows a down-on-his-luck writer, Brian Sinclair (Bradley Cooper) as he experiments with a drug called NZT. The pharmaceutical grants people the ability to use 100% of their brain capacity, with side effects similar to going cold turkey.
The TV Show: CBS are developing a sequel series, set to pick up on Sinclairs quest to use his powers for good following the events of the movie. Original helmer Neil Burger is attached to direct the pilot, with Cooper, Todd Philips Alex Kurtzman and Robert Orci on board to executive produce.
Why Were Excited: Kurtzman and Orci have successfully rebooted Star Trek into a major new feature franchise so it stands to reason their magic touch will do the same for Limitless.
Scream (1996)
The Movie: The meta-horror that changed the face of the genre, Wes Cravens Scream borrowed from every tired slasher and recycled them to create a truly terrifying flick about a masked killer stalking a bunch of self-aware teens in California.
The TV Show: Headed up over at MTV in conjunction with Dimension Films (who produced the film franchise), the series has installed a fresh line-up of teens ready to succumb to the perils of Ghostface via a slew of bloody youTube murders. Based on the success of the pilot, helmed by Faking Its Jamie Travis, the network ordered a full ten-episode season thats set to debut in October 2015.
Why Were Excited: According to MTV exec Mina Lefevre the iconic killers mask has evolved into a grounded, more organic version thats apparently way, way, darker than the original...
From Hell (2001)
The Movie: The Hughes Brothers evoked a dark, grimy Victorian London for their take on Alan Moore and Eddie Campbells legendary comic, with Johnny Depp as a drug-addled detective investigating the killings of Jack The Ripper.
The TV Show: Original producer Don Murphy returns to deliver the version of From Hell hed wanted to create before the 2001 feature rolled out. Going back to the source material, the adaptation hes cooking up for FX will delve deeper into the intricate details of Whitechapel, which were absent in the big screen version.
Why Were Excited: The extensive backstory behind Moore and Campbells series of blood-soaked panels were barely touched upon in the film. With FX developing the show - who arent afraid to be risque - we could be in for a gory, addictive weekly treat.
Shutter Island (2010)
The Movie: Martin Scorseses asylum thriller followed the story of two US Marshals investigating the case of a missing patient on an island institution, with a twist in the final reel that nobody saw coming.
The TV Show: Returning to novelist Dennis Lehanes source material, the prequel series named after the asylum - Ashecliffe - will chart the sinister early days of the facility before the events of the movie. HBO are taking the reins, with Scorsese in the directors chair for the pilot and Lehane tapping out the script.
Why Were Excited: The films denouement undoubtedly left viewers with a lot of unanswered questions regarding the asylums practices, which will no doubt be addressed in lavishing detail by the win-win combo of Boardwalk Empire duo Scorsese and HBO.
The Illusionist (2006)
The Movie: Neil Burgers movie was released in the shadow of Christopher Nolans similarly-themed The Prestige, with Edward Norton cast opposite Jessica Biel as a magician in 19th century Vienna.
The TV Show: The CW are heading up this rejig, shifting the location from Vienna to New York City. Mark Hudis, who bagged Emmy nominations for his work on Nurse Jackie and True Blood, will pen the script. The story will circle a modern day magician recently out of prison who uses his prowess to pull off a string of robberies in order to implicate the crime boss who landed him in the slammer.
Why Were Excited: This story veers wildly from the original movie, but its a killer premise that ought to translate perfectly to the small screen.
12 Monkeys (1995)
The Movie: Bruce Willis starred in Terry Gilliams time travel headscratcher as James Cole, a man recruited to go back in time to prevent a plague that threatens to wipe out humanity. On top of that, hes trying to figure out who he is, whos the chap in his visions and who are the 12 Monkeys?
The TV Show: One of the only entries on this list close to broadcast, Syfys loose adaptation of the movie has X2s Aaron Stanford tackling the Willis role, Amanda Schull as Dr. Cassandra Railly (a nod to Madeleine Stowes Kathryn) and Emily Hampshire as Jennifer Goines - a female version of Brad Pitts character. Judging by early previews of the pilot, the January 16th 2015 premiere cant come soon enough.
Why Were Excited: The first trailer hints at an equally-impressive, if slightly reinvented take on Gilliams original.
Frequency (2000)
The Movie: In Gregory Hoblits sci-fi flick, Jim Caviezels NYPD detective stumbles upon his dads long-lost ham radio that enables him to speak with his now-deceased father 30 years in the past.
A touch of melodrama and a giant helping of rugged Dennis Quaid made this sorta-time travel flick a bit of a weepy to boot.
The TV Show: NBC and Warner Bros. are uniting along with original scribe Toby Emmerich - in an executive producer capacity - to transform this nifty concept into a weekly serial. The story will orbit around an NYPD detective who converses with his son thirty years into the future via the magic radio. A sequel series, perhaps?
Why Were Excited: The premise alone stands up to serial treatment, with the father-son crime fightin team doing weekly battles against the perils of evil. Could be a procedural with clout.
The Evil Dead (1981-1992)
The Movie: From horror maestro Sam Raimi and producer Bob Tapert came one of the first low-budget gorefests to become a cult sleeper smash. Bruce Campbell took the starring role as the dunderheaded Ash, who travels to a cabin in the woods with his friends, only to discover the evil lurking outside their door definitely puts a dampener on the Pictionary marathon.
The TV Show: Picked up by the Starz network, this ten-episode sequel series sees Raimi, Tapert and Campbell all reprising their roles in front and behind the camera before it rolls out mid-2015. Under its new title, Ash Vs. Evil Dead, the story will pick up with our titular hero having to face more screeching, evil hags as a plague of Deadites threatens to wipe out the planet.
Why Were Excited: The first season of half-hour episodes have already been greenlit! So, theres really only one question left to ask... who wants some?
The Truman Show (1998)
The Movie: An exploration of the reality TV phenomenon with a cunning twist, Jim Carrey starred in Peter Weirs wry dramedy about a man blissfully unaware that hes the star of a worldwide hit show.
The TV Show: Paramount are raiding their back catalogue for this small screen take, with little else known on the project at this stage.
Why Were Excited: While the entire set up could easily be stretched over a season or two, its the ending of the original pic that holds a whole world of exploration for Truman - and many possibilities for Paramount. Will ambitious producer Christof continue to adapt the real world? Should Truman return to the safety of his fake environment? Who knows, but well be tuning in.
Minority Report (2002)
The Movie: A unique spin on the sci-fi genre, Steven Spielbergs adaptation of Philip K. Dicks novel cast Tom Cruise as a PreCrime officer in the near-future. You might think hed be bored because murder is eradicated thanks to a clutch of folks with precognitive abilities. But hes really not. Especially when he becomes implicated for a crime hes yet to commit.
The TV Show: Spielbergs back to executive produce the sequel for Fox, set ten years after the events of the original film. Godzilla scribe Max Borenstein is penning the pilot that will follow a male pre-cog who enlists the help of a female detective as he tries to make sense of life following the demise of PreCrime. Hes haunted by visions of the future, shes plagued by visions of her past. Match made in heaven, right?
Why Were Excited: A chance to experience the aftermath of the films explosive ending is reason enough, but with Borenstein at the keys this could transform into a very promising small screen experience indeed.
Westworld (1973)
The Movie: This seventies tale of robots gone bananas was written and directed by Michael Crichton. Set around a futuristic Western-themed amusement park populated by androids designed to fulfil every desirous human fantasy, things soon fall apart when they begin to malfunction. Think Ashs meltdown in Alien but for 90 minutes.
The TV Show: A triple whammy of awesome lies at the heart of this serial. First off HBO, who are developing the show, are so confident in its success theyve already granted it a full series order. Secondly, J.J. Abrams Bad Robot is heading up production. And finally, Jonathan Nolan is scripting and directing the pilot. If thats not enough to tickle your fancy, the cast so far includes Anthony Hopkins, Evan Rachel Wood, Ed Harris, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright and James Marsden.
Why Were Excited: A prime cable network notorious for crafting intelligent, thought-provoking genre titles, and the talented Abrams and Nolan behind the creative process.... its enough to get us salivating already.
