Syfy orders thriller “Prototype” to pilot

PanARMENIAN.Net - Syfy is replenishing its pilot ranks. A week after ordering Ben Affleck and Matt Damon-produced drama Incorporated to series, the NBCUniversal-owned cable network has picked up a pilot based on an original idea from 24: Live Another Day's Tony Basgallop, The Hollywood Reporter reveals.

The drama centers on three unlikely cohorts who inadvertently stumble upon an invention that challenges the very nature of quantum physics — a discovery which in turn puts their lives in grave danger.

Basgallop will pen the script, with Oscar nominee Juan Carlos Fresnadillo (Esposados) attached to direct. Escape Artists Productions (Southpaw, The Pursuit of Happyness) executive producer alongside Fresnadillo and Basgallop. Taylor Latham (Freeheld) is set as a co-EP.

"Prototype is a purely original idea from a talented writer with a unique vision," said Bill McGoldrick, the newly promoted exec vp scripted content at NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. "We can’t wait to see this original idea come to life in this pilot for Syfy."

Prototype becomes the first pilot order of the season for Syfy. The cable network of late has been aggressive in picking up high-profile dramas direct to series, including anthology Channel Zero (with a two-season order) and a Van Helsing reboot in addition to comic take Wynonna Earp. The network does have a traditional pilot development pipeline, which most recently has produced both Incorporated as well as The Magicians, with the latter renewed for a second season.

The cabler has found both critical and ratings success with its push to bring more traditional science fiction fare back to the network over the past year-plus. Syfy has a development pipeline that also includes Brave New World, from Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Television; 3001: The Final Odyssey, an adaptation of Arthur C. Clarke's final Odyssey book from Ridley Scott’s Scott Free Productions; Hyperion, with Bradley Cooper exec producing as well as Superman prequel Krypton from David S. Goyer.