NIGHTFLYERS, Michael Des Barres, 1987. ©New Century Vista Film
Back in May we reported that as part of Syfy’s 25th anniversary programming upgrade that they were developing a series adaption of George R. R. Martin’s supernatural novella ‘Nightflyers’. While at the time it was not guaranteed that the series would ever grace our televisions, that has changed. Today, news has come, via Deadline, that Syfy has given the green light for the pilot, penned by Jeff Buhler (Jacob’s Ladder).
‘Nightflyers’, from Universal Cable Productions and Hypnotic, is currently setting up a writers room in order to prepare backup scripts in anticipation of the series being picked up.
Published in 1980, the story, which was adapted for the 1987 film by the same name, is set in the future on the eve of earth’s destruction.
“In the hope of making contact with alien life, eight maverick scientists and a powerful telepath embark on an expedition to the edge of our solar system aboard the Nightflyer, a ship with a small, tightknit crew and a reclusive captain. But when terrifying and violent events begin to take place, they start to question one another — and surviving the journey proves harder than anyone thought.”
“We are looking forward to diving deeper into George R.R. Martin’s chilling world of ‘Nightflyers,’” said Bill McGoldrick, executive vice president of scripted development for NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment to comingsoon.com. “The script that Jeff delivered encapsulates this classic sci-fi horror story and adapts it to a platform where we can truly explore the depths of madness.”
Gene Klein, David Bartis and Doug Liman of Hypnotic will serve as executive producers for the series. Alison Rosenzweig, Michael Gaeta, Llyoyd Ivan Miller and Alice P. Neuhauser will produce alongside Robert Jaffe who wrote and produced the 1987 film will be producing.
Check out the 1987 film trailer.
