SyFy is developing a series based on 12 Monkeys

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Dear SyFy: Don’t you f*cking dare! Sincerely, Everyone.

Terry Gilliam‘s 12 MONKEYS is one of my favorite movies so having a series produced from the same people who greenlit SHARKNADO does not fill me with confidence. There is no reason to touch it or remake it, especially as a TV movie. I am getting the vibe this could be like Stanley Kubrick versus Mick Garris‘ versions of THE SHINING.

The movie starred Bruce Willis as James Cole, a convicted criminal in a post-apocalyptic future where the Earth’s population is forced to live underground after a deadly virus. In a bid to earn a pardon, Cole will use an imperfect science of time travel to help collect information on the virus released by the Army of the Twelve Monkeys.

The Hollywood Reporter says SyFy is working on a “backdoor pilot” in the form of a TV movie that could launch a BATTLESTAR GALACTICA type reboot of the story. The screenplay is being written by NIKITA and TERRA NOVA scribes Terry Matalas and Travis Fickett. 24 director Jon Cassar will helm the project. SyFy is aiming to have the show/pilot ready for their 2014 Fall season.

It would be hard to replicate Brad Pitt‘s great turn as the psychotic Jeffrey Goines. I am wholly against this project simply based on SyFy’s track record. If this was being developed at AMC, HBO, or even FX, I would be a little more relaxed. Hopefully this can be BATTLESTAR GALACTICA quality, but with TERRA NOVA and NIKITA writers behind the scenes, I doubt it.