Fox Networks, Canal+ Team on ‘War of the Worlds’ Adaptation

Canal+ and Fox Networks Group Europe & Africa are teaming to co-produce a new TV adaptation of H.G. Wells’ classic (and much adapted) novel War of the Worlds.

Produced by Urban Myth Films, in association with StudioCanal, pre-production has already begun on the contemporary take on the drama, scheduled to begin shooting in the fall.

War of the Worlds is set to be written and created by the BAFTA-award-winner Howard Overman (Misfits, Crazyhead, Merlin). The eight-part re-imagining is a Canal+ Creation Originale for Canal+ and the second original regional scripted commission for FNG, Europe & Africa after the spy drama Deep State, which aired earlier this year.

Beginning production in the fall, the drama will debut in 2019, on Canal+ in France and on Fox in over 50 countries across Europe and Africa. International sales for the drama will be handled by StudioCanal, with rights in Europe and Africa (excluding French speaking territories) handled by Fox Networks Group.

“In many ways H.G. Wells’ novel is a cautionary tale of racial superiority and ethnic conflict,” said Overman, lead writer and executive producer for Urban Myth Films. “It is these themes that I wanted to explore more fully in my modern re-imagining. I look forward to bringing our bold, fresh and relatable version, inspired by this much-loved story to a new audience.”

In this new take on War of the Worlds, when astronomers detect a transmission from another galaxy, it is definitive proof of intelligent extra-terrestrial life. Earth’s population waits for further contact with baited breath, but does not have to wait long. Within days, mankind is all but wiped out, with just pockets of humanity are left in an eerily deserted world. As alien ships appear in the sky, the survivors ask a burning question — who are these attackers and why are they hell-bent on our destruction? 

The show will be executive produced by Overman, Julian Murphy and Johnny Capps for Urban Myth Films.

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