FOX To Develop U.S. Version Of "Torchwood" | Techland

Yep, the alien-investigating Doctor Who spin off is headed to FOX for an all-American remake.

The Hollywood Reporter says the American version of Torchwood will have the original production team in tow, including series creator Russell Davies (Doctor Who, Queer As Folk). THR is also claiming the U.S. series would feature a global plot line and that John Barrowman would be likely to reprise his role as Capt. Jack Harkness.

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Right now, the the show is only in development and still needs the official green light from FOX to become a pilot.

It’s an exciting announcement yes, but we can’t help think of all of FOX’s other once-exciting sci-fi shows that have been axed, or sent into relative obscurity.

FOX: The Sci-Fi History, Abridged

Dollhouse (2009-2010)

Joss Whedon’s latest FOX series about rentable human “dolls” with an erasable memory and implantable personalities was a fraction of the way through its second season when it was canceled.

(More on Techland: Joss Whedon: Dollhouse Too Sexy For FOX)

Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles (2008-2009)

Four words: Friday Night Death Slot. Even The X-Files was nearly canceled once it moved there.

Firefly (2002)

Another ill-fated Whedon show canceled after just one season, but strong DVD sales spawned 2005′s spin off movie Serenity … which we named one of the worst superhero films of the decade most underrated sci-movies of all time.

Dark Angel (2000-2002)

Not even James Cameron (or Jessica Alba for that matter) could keep sci-fi alive on FOX.

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And these are just a few of the shows that met their science fiction death on FOX (M.A.N.T.I.S!, Brimstone!, Sliders!), though admittedly, some were much-needed mercy killings.

But, where does that leave Torchwood? Guess we’ll wait and see.

xkaren08

Great outline of Fox’s lousy history with Sci-Fi. My biggest concerns are the likely disconnect from the Doctor Who franchise, and most importantly, the inevitable de-gaying of the show for American audiences. The queerness of Torchwood is part of it’s appeal.
Kemper

You named Serenity one of the worst superhero movies of the decade? Wait…what… Uh, did Mal turn into the Hulk at some point while I was getting popcorn?

Let’s check the American Torchwood math: Fox + sci-fi concept + dark plots with no happy endings + loyal fan base tied to a British cultural icon in Dr. Who + American TV execs freaking about a bi-sexual main character = Epic disaster the likes of which not seen since the death of Irwin Allen.
http://twitter.com/thepeterha Peter Ha

@kemper Umm. No. We said Serenity was one of the most underrated Sci-Fi movies of the decade.
doubleang

I think Allie posted the wrong link on the Serenity piece
masurix

I’m torn.

The Good:
-John Barrowman on American TV.

The Bad:
-Fox.
-The sanitizing of Torchwood.
-The possibility of it being a good show that I love and then having it yanked out from under me because it didn’t pull in 10 million viewers on a Friday night.
-Also, Fox.
-Did I mention Fox?

It’d be foolish for Fox to do this. Science fiction shows do not attract the kind of viewer that makes them money. Until they update their business model, why put on shows that they’ll just end up canceling? Seems like a waste of money on their part.
Allie Townsend

Wrong link, fixed! Serenity is not superhero film. Nor is it one of the worst films of the decade…
wolvenspectre

This might explain why Human Target got rid of the “Master of Disguise” elements of the source material.

When I told my friends of that they did the same thing they did for Dollhouse

“Fox?!? *Groan* Oh I am really going to watch that now¡
popzeitgeist

And let’s not forget the near soul-crushing cancellation of Futurama, one of the best sci-fi shows- and one of the best comedies- of the decade.