Sci-Fi Storm

A duo of returning items…first, the 80s sci-fi program Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future is underdevelopment as a reboot under the title of Phoenix Rising, with original co-creator Gary Goddard on board with former Syfy executives Greg Vitale and Craig Engler.

The original show followed a small band of guerilla fighters in the 22nd century revolting again the intelligent machines which enslaved mankind after the Metal Wars. The show was notable not only for their storylines that could appeal to kids and adults, but also the direct marketing the show also as a “game” that kids could play along with using specially equipped toys they needed to purchase. The show proved to be expensive to produce and the complex storylines and allegories drew criticism, and it was canceled after one season.

In other news, it appears that a fourth Star Trek reboot movie is already in the works, and this one will feature the return of Captain Kirk’s father, who was played (briefly) in the first movie by Chris Hemsworth. Not sure how that will be accomplished, but it’s Star Trek, and the “Kelvin Timeline” was kicked off by playing with time travel…

I’m glad to hear that our friends to the Northeast are getting another television production, in yet another Stephen King adaptation. This time it is an adaptation of his novella The Mist. The multi-million dollar original television series begins principle photography today in Halifax, Nova Scotia. American cable network Spike TV has ordered 10 hour-long episodes of the series which will premiere on Spike in 2017.

The Mist tells the story of a foreboding mist that arrives in one small town ushering in a terrifying new reality for its residents, putting their humanity to the test. What will people do to survive when blinded by fear? The cast includes Morgan Spector, Frances Conroy, Alyssa Sutherland, Gus Birney, Dan Butler, Luke Cosgrove, Danica Curcic, Okezie Morro, Darren Pettie, Russell Posner and Isiah Whitlock, Jr.

“We were intent on finding the perfect location – a place that could double for Maine, where the story is set, and one with an experienced crew base and proven track record that would work to fulfill our other requirements,” says Tom Prince, Executive Vice President of Physical Production/Post of TWC-Dimension Television, which is producing the series in conjunction with Halifax-based Magic Rock Productions.

“We intend to see this series develop into a signature show for Spike, and after hearing the pitch for Nova Scotia, we felt confident that the look, feel and the overall attitude of the province were right for this project,” says Sharon Levy, Executive Vice President, Original Series, Spike.

The series will be shot mostly in Halifax with some additional shooting in the Windsor area.

The same region was chosen for the production of Haven for Syfy, based on the short story “The Colorado Kid” by King. The choice of area was for the same reasons – it could stand in for coastal Maine.