MTV has picked up a new contemporary drama seriesWar of the Worlds, based on theH.G. Wellsclassicsci-fi novel. FormerTeen WolfwriterAndrew Cochranis behind the script, withTeen WolfcreatorJeff Davisexecutive producing alongside The Firm’sJosh BarryandJeff Kwatinetz. No plot details were given as to how this series will be different from the dozens of other adaptations of this classic story.
Deadlinereports that The Firm’sJosh Barryis the grandson ofGene Barry, who starred in the firstWar of the Worldstheatrical adaptation back in 1953. The original book was written in 1898, but the 1938radio adaptationbyOrson Wellesmade the book even more popular. The radio play was originally broadcast as a series of radio bulletins, which listeners believed to be reporting about an actual Martian invasion in progress.
While there have been a number of adaptations of this sci-fi story, the most notable isSteven Spielberg’s 2005 big-budget summer movie adaptation starringTom Cruise. The movie took in $234.2 million domestically and $591.7 million worldwide from a $132 million budget. The movie also starredDakota Fanning,Miranda Otto,Justin Chatwin,Tim Robbins,Yul Vasquez,Lenny VenitoandAnn Robinson.
This newsci-fi serieswon’t be the first time this idea has been taken to the small screen. There was aWar of the WorldsTV series that aired for two seasons between 1988 and 1990. That series posited that the original aliens from the first 1953 movie were brought out of suspended animation when radiation kills the infecting bacteria. This leads the aliens to launch a new genocidal war against an unsuspecting Earth. We don’t know if there will be any connection between this new series and the original 1988 show.
We also reported last year that anotherH.G. Wellsnovel,The Island of D.r Moreauwill be heading to the small screen, with a new series being developed by CBS. Before writing theWar of the Worldspilot,Andrew Cochranwas a staff writer onTeen Wolf, and he also wrote the 2014 feature filmAdult World, which starredJohn CusackandEmma Roberts.Jeff Davis’Teen Wolfbegins its sixth and final season on November 15.
