Krypton Art - H 2014
Courtesy of SyFyIt’s official: Syfy is in the Superman business.
The NBCUniversal-owned cable network has handed out a formal pilot order to Superman prequel drama Krypton. The project is set two generations before the destruction of the legendary Man of Steel’s home planet. Krypton will follow Superman’s grandfather — whose House of El was ostracized and shamed — as he fights to redeem his family’s honor and save his beloved world from chaos.
David S. Goyer (Man of Steel, Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice) will executive produce the drama through his Phantom Four banner. Sleepy Hollow‘s Damian Kindler also will exec produce as well as serve as showrunner. Colm McCarthy will direct and co-exec produce the pilot. Goyer and Ian Goldberg (Once Upon a Time) will pen the script for the Warner Horizon Television project that is based on DC Comics characters created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.
“Krypton is one of the most iconic stories in the comic book universe,” said Bill McGoldrick, exec vp scripted content at NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment. “In the talented hands of David S. Goyer and the DC Entertainment/Warner Horizon Television team, this exciting Syfy project will take viewers back to Superman’s home to show how the timeless legend began.”
The drama comes as comic book fare continues to dominate primetime. For its part, DC Comics also has Fox’s Batman prequel Gotham as well as The CW series The Flash, Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow — all of which are returning for the 2016-17 broadcast season.
For Syfy, Krypton joins a pilot slate that also includes Prototype and a development slate that features Brave New World and Hyperion.
Syfy in the past year-plus has focused on bringing more science-fiction fare to its network. Its roster consists of Hunters, 12 Monkeys, Incorporated, Channel Zero: Candle Cove, The Expanse and The Magicians.
For Goyer, Krypton becomes his latest comic book foray. The self-professed fanboy counts the Dark Knight film trilogy and Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice as well as TV’s Constantine, FlashForward and Da Vinci’s Demons among his credits.
