Syfy plans to return the Battlestar franchise to space, and a bizarre new superhero show
US TV network Syfy has told The Hollywood Reporter that it is in early talks about a second spin-off from Battlestar Galactica, one that would return the franchise to its space opera roots. The network denies, though, that this means the first Battlestar spin-off, Caprica – which has been perfomingly modestly in the ratings – is set for the chop.
“We’re looking for other ways to spin off Battlestar beyond Caprica ,’” says Syfy's executive VP of development Mark Stern . “That world is so rich. We’re sitting down with Ron Moore and his team. It would not necessarily be a traditional series.”
That does not mean that current Battlestar spin-off Caprica is set for an early bath. While the show has been recently been pulling in a mere 1.6 million viewers an episode, Stern doesn’t believe that figure tells the whole story. “We have a lot of hope for that show,” Stern said. “The DVR data has been very promising and growing week after week.”
Syfy has also ordered a 90-minute pilot, called Three Inches , about a group of rubbish superheroes (could it be also be a metaphor for a man with serious self-esteem problems, we wonder?). Written by Harley ( Twin Peaks ) Peyton it’s about a guy who gains the power to move any object using only his mind, but only for a distance of three inches. He recruits a team of fellow heroes all with equally rubbish abilities (we're hoping for Boneless Boy and The Dribble).
“ Three Inches is a fun, smart, offbeat spin on the superhero genre,” says Mark Stern. “It’s a very postmodern approach, with a really wonderful, tongue-in-cheek script.” He doesn’t add, however, “It’s nothing at all like Mystery Men … no, really… Mystery what, you say? La la la la, not listening.”
Apparently, Syfy is also hoping to pick up another superhero pilot, called Alphas , a show which was originally developed for ABC by X-Men: The Last Stand scripter Zack Penn. This one's about a group of four superpowered mutants whose powers come with an associated curse. The project has been bubbling away in development at Syfy since it picked up the option on the show last August.
