Deadline reports that the Syfy Channel — which seems mysteriously interested in scifi shows nowadays — has ordered a pilot based on Terry Gilliam’s 1995 scifi flick 12 Monkeys. The channel has discussed the idea before, but Syfy ordering the pilot brings it a major step closer to actually getting made.
https://gizmodo.com/no-star-trek-3-is-probably-not-filming-in-2014-876522574
The movie, which is considered one of Gilliam’s best, starred Bruce Willis as a criminal from the future sent back into the past to stop a virus that drove the few surviving humans underground, Madeline Stowe as the psychiatric doctor he meets upon getting thrown in a mental institution upon his arrival, and a not-quite-megastar Brad Pitt as a mentally disturbed animal rights fanaticist.
I’ve got to say this sounds like a good idea to me. I can easily see Monkeys expanded into a TV series, even over multiple seasons, and while the movie is good, it’s not quite on the masterpiece-level that would make a show based on Gilliam’s Brazil completely superfluous. On the other hand, the world would be a much better place if there were a Time Bandits TV show in the works, but oh well. Maybe next time.
