ABC has picked up IDT Entertainment's anthology drama series "Masters of Science Fiction," which feature works by some of the genre's top authors.

The network has committed to at least four episodes of the series, produced by IDT and Industry Entertainment to air during the summer or next season.

"Martian Chronicles" and "Fahrenheit 451" author Ray Bradbury is in negotiations to adapt one of his lesser-known books, "Dark They Were, and Golden-Eyed."

Talks also are under way for "The Last Question" by Isaac Asimov ("I, Robot") and "The Discarded" by Harlan Ellison ("A Boy and His Dog") to be turned into episodes of the series as well as a book by Robert Heinlein ("The Puppet Masters").

As previously announced, writer Michael Tolkinis is set to adapt and direct one episode of the series, which is shepherded through ABC's longform division.

"With IDT Entertainment and Industry bringing such high-end talent, we're very excited about this anthology," ABC senior vp movies and miniseries Quinn Taylor said. "We've been trying to put together this kind of series because it has great potential to become appointment television."

IDT, which is financing the project, and Industry plan to film 13 episodes and hope that all of the segments will air on ABC.

Production on "Fiction" is slated to begin in May in Vancouver.

In addition to financing, IDT also will handle worldwide sales and home entertainment distribution of the series.

"ABC is the perfect venue for these interpretations of science fiction's seminal literary voices," IDT Entertainment chief operating officer John Hyde said.

Added Industry Entertainment partner Keith Addis, "We were very attracted to the notion that in their works, many of these writers dealt with such powerful ideas as racism, nuclear proliferation and environmental destruction, and it was wonderfully done in a provocative and entertaining way."

Because of the scientific advances in the decades since a lot of the books were written, some of the content will be updated for the younger audiences while still staying faithful to the original material, Addis said.

Bradbury, for example, will move the setting of his book to a completely different solar system.

Hyde, Morris Berger and Steve Brown are executive producing "Fiction" for IDT. Industry's Addis, Brad Mendelsohn and Andrew Deane also will exec produce, with Ben Browning and Adam Goldworm serving as co-producers.

IDT and Industry Entertainment partnered for "Masters of Horror," an anthology series, which has been picked up by Showtime for a second season.