TV News

SCI FI Developing Alien Nation Update

June 30, 2009

The SCI FI Channel is developing a new take on Alien Nation, the 1988 feature that previously spawned a spin-off series on Fox, reports Variety.

Tim Minear ("Angel," "The X-Files," "Firefly," "Strange World") is writing the update of the franchise. Fox 21, the alternative production arm of 20th Century Fox TV, will produce.

"Alien Nation" centers on the partnership between a veteran cop and his alien detective partner, set against the larger tale of alien "newcomers" who move to Earth and attempt to assimilate into society.

The new "Alien Nation" would include a mythology that evolves over time and will also touch on some of the issues of the day, such as the immigrant experience and how society integrates an incoming culture.

The show will likely take place in the Pacific Northwest, and will take place about 20 years after the first ship of aliens - who have been banished as slaves - crash lands into Earth.

By the time the show begins, some time in the 2020s, the alien population has multiplied from a few thousand to 3.5 million. And much of the "newcomers" live their own segregated existence, in what Minear compares to the North African ghettos in France.

SCI FI will be rebranded as "SyFy" next week.

COMMENTS (15)

Posted by:

Mr. Wowserz

July 1, 2009

Well, I am happy that this is not an out and out remake, but I'd feel even better if the original creators were somehow involved. The very fact that it is coming out of the Sci Fi Channel (or syfy or whatever it is that they will be calling themselves) kills any hope of quality whatsoever.

Posted by:

Zimbee

July 1, 2009

Battlestar Galactica proves you wrong right there.

Posted by:

TDK Fan

July 1, 2009

"As for the topic on hand, Alien Nation, still need to check out the original."

The original is fun. James Caan and Mandy Patinkin make a good pairing.

Posted by:

jay

July 1, 2009

doesn't any body else see what's going on. Alien nation, V, district 9, the knowing, lost, 2012, and countless shows and movies, they are getting us ready for when it does happen for real and we as a sociecty don't lose it and freak out and turn out all relgious or go start looting and murdering and doing whatever, think bout it

Posted by:

Richard e mouse

July 1, 2009

This might be good. Curious to hear more about this.

Posted by:

Simon

July 1, 2009

GUSTO - Twilight is for girls

Posted by:

mystical1

July 1, 2009

Firstly, all things twilight remains lame. And secondly, I just got the original Alien Nation out an hour ago before reading this post, and I think it's a great idea.

Posted by:

Jase

July 1, 2009

well... I've heard worse plots. and I actually remember this show from my childhood. God, I'm 28.. I feel old now..lol. As long as they don't go the way of campy, or over-acting.. it could work.

Posted by:

Joeker

July 1, 2009

Loved the original. Hated show and TV movies. Do it as well as Battlestar did please.... Do not turn it into another Flash Gordon or Tin Man. What I am trying to say is do not ruin it.

Posted by:

Buffo

July 1, 2009

The movie was only 'okay'. The television series and movies were great. Some of the best sci-fi on TV in the 90's. I also loved the chemistry between the detective cop leads.

This sounds like something different however, like some sort of spinoff using the progression from an earlier successful idea/theme and seems a bit inclined to failure.