This past April, four months before his death, horror master Wes Craven signed a first-look deal with NBCUniversal’s Universal Cable Productions for TV series and set multiple projects at the cable studio, including an adaptation of Daryl Gregory’s book We Are All Completely Fine at Syfy, which Craven was set to write and direct, a series based on Craven’s 1991 movie The People Under The Stairs, also at Syfy, as well as Disciples, based on Steve Niles’ upcoming graphic novel.
Following Craven’s death today, UCP intends to continue with all of his projects, which already carry his creative stamp, working with his team, including Craven’s manager at Industry Entertainment who is an executive producer on all shows.
“Wes Craven was a master artist, a gentleman and it was our pleasure to work with him,” UCP said in a statement to Deadline. “It is our intention to bring to life all the projects Wes developed at Universal Cable Productions. Thankfully these projects have benefitted greatly from his development and guidance since their inception. They will continue in his honor and spirit.”
In TV, Craven also served as an executive producer on MTV’s series based on his hit Scream franchise, which was recently renewed for a second season. “We are honored to have worked with him and proud to carry on his legacy with Scream,” the network said today.
Another TV project that Craven would would not be able to see through is the “Thou Shalt Not Kill” segment of WGN America’s Ten Commandments miniseries from The Weinstein Company, which Craven was slated to direct; in a statement Bob Weinstein said he was “heartbroken at the news of Wes Craven’s passing.”
Here are descriptions of Craven’s three UCP series, which will continue development at the studio.
* We Are All Completely Fine tells the story of Dr. Jan Sayer, an enigmatic psychologist who gathers survivors of five horror-movie scenarios in a support group – and unwittingly unlocks the evils of her patients’ pasts. As their traumas are brought back to the surface, they uncover which monsters they face are within — and which are lurking in plain sight. Craven is attached to write the script, and has signed on to direct the potential pilot.
* The People Under The Stairs is described as a contemporary Downton Abbey meets The Amityville Horror. When a young woman goes missing at the grand Robeson Family Manor, her search unveils the centuries-old horrors that lie deep within the estate. Michael Reisz (Shadowhunters) is writing the adaptation.
* Disciples is a sci-fi horror story set in the near future where the ultra-wealthy have become true masters of the universe, colonizing moons throughout the solar system.
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