‘Powers’ TV Series Finds New Life as PlayStation’s First Original Drama
Fan favorite Brian Michael Bendis-penned superhero comic 'Powers' had a rocky road to TV, first entering development in 2009 with FX and eventually filming a pilot episode, though the network opted to re-shoot, with updates emerging only every so often. Now, the hero-policing 'Powers' has finally been given the series commitment it deserves, not at FX, but rather as Sony PlayStation's first original drama.
For those unfamiliar with the property, ‘Powers’ follows detectives Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim, two homicide investigators inhabiting a world regularly menaced by the struggles between superheroes and supervillains, or “Powers” to which they’re referred. The initial FX pilot featured Jason Patric and Lucy Punch in the roles of Walker and Pilgrim, along with Charles S. Dutton, ‘LOST‘ star Titus Welliver and Carly Foulkes, as written by Charles Eglee.
Now, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Sony Pictures Television gave a 10-episode commitment to a 'Powers' series, recasting the roles as writer Charlie Huston steps in for Eglee. Circle of Confusion will return to executive produce the new 'Powers' alongside co-creators Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming. Michael Dinner will remain as executive producer and director, with Huston and 'Falling Skies' Remi Aubuchon executive producing under Bendis and Huston as showrunners.
This marks Sony PlayStation's first entry into the original scripted content market, while Microsoft's Xbox previously expressed its intent, but has yet to green light or begin production on any series.
Curious though we are to see how original series fare in the video game market, we're glad to see a 'Powers' series finally move forward after so much time in development hell. What do you think? Did FX miss out on its own super-powered franchise? What do you want to see from a 'Powers' TV series?